ABOUT ED
Ed is an experienced leader with a track record of success since joining the United States Air Force in December 1986. While serving almost ten years as an enlisted member, Ed worked towards his bachelor’s degree, and with recognition such as Distinguished Graduate from Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer Leadership School, in 1996 he was accepted into AFROTC at the University of South Carolina and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1998.
Ed served as an Air Battle Manager orchestrating all facets of command and control from tactical level fighter intercepts, combat operations, and instructing, as a young officer to strategic leadership as a Colonel culminating as Chief of Staff, US Air Forces Central, during the withdrawal of Hamid Karzai International Airport in August 2022.
In June 2023, Ed retired from Active Duty and joined the defense industry as a program manager responsible for a $45 million dollar defense contract leading a combination of retired military, ex-military, and civilian software experts pursuing national defense objectives.
When Ed is not working as a defense contractor, or passing on his leadership lessons to audiences, he enjoys big game hunting, flying as a multi engine commercial pilot, sharing ownership of a Cessna 182, or realizing a boyhood dream of cowboying as a novice team roper – and passing on those passions to his teenage son.
“Everyone is the most important person on the team, we just don’t get to say it at the same time”.
Ed Goebel is not your typical motivational speaker – Ed relies heavily on his mistakes more than telling you about what he’s done right! You and your organization will find his candor refreshing, authentic, and will leave you reflecting on how you can avoid some of the hard lessons Ed has learned along the way. Of course, he’ll be happy to tell you about the success of the teams he’s been a part of but it’s this healthy balance of what worked and what didn’t work that will mark Ed as not your traditional speaker.
REASONS TO BOOK ED
PROVEN LEADERSHIP. Ed has a 30 year record of successful leadership experiences. In addition to several military awards for leadership, executive leadership seminars, and his entry into the defense industry as a recognized leader, Col (ret) Ed Goebel had the opportunity to serve in leadership roles across his AF career. As a commissioned officer, the mantle of leadership is assumed, and Ed successfully led small organizations as a young Lieutenant and progressively larger teams throughout his career culminating as a Colonel, a Wing Commander overseeing flying operations, leadership of 2,500 personnel, care for families, and as a Chief of Staff coordinating the efforts of a 14,000 member joint organization spanning over 20 countries in the Middle East and Southwest Asia. At the tactical level, Ed served as a young leader aboard the USAF E-3B/C AWACS in multiple combat operations, and again as a senior officer aboard the USAF E-8C JSTARS aircraft. These experiences and the mentors around him shaped and influenced Ed into the leader he his today, and he always looks for ways to share his experiences – failures as well as successes.
AUTHENTICITY. Ed believes our continually accelerating society demands authentic leadership with little time for teams and organizations suffering through guesswork of leader intentions or agendas. Ed’s success as a leader has been founded in the belief in providing “real” or “genuine” conversation with organizations he’s been a part of. Over his years of learning to lead, Ed has learned to speak to his own mistakes establishing an appropriate level of humility and credibility, most people will tell you he is very social and enjoys a good conversation, and that it is this personable approach to leading that helped Ed learn to thoughtfully make the hard choices and the willingness to speak up when all around him have a differing opinion.
SEASONED. A leader that hasn’t experienced tough choices, made risky decisions, or has a mistake-free record does not define Ed Goebel, and he has a great deal of empathy for those facing leadership challenges. Throughout his careers in the military and industry, Ed has had to make tough calls in combat, peacetime, and in the cubicle. His decision- making process is always rooted in a balance of what is right for the organization and for the employee, and he knows that taking risks is part of the job of a leader. As a part of his willingness to make a decision and stand by that decision, Ed knows what it’s like to make a mistake, look in the mirror and pull himself up by the boot straps to do it better tomorrow! Ed cares – he wants your organization to have the same successes he’s had, and shares so your organization can avoid some of the tougher lessons he’s learned the hard way.
PROBLEM SOLVER. Ed enjoys solving problems, or being a part of a team solving problems. Nothing is more satisfying to Ed than sitting down with a young leader and helping her or him discuss ways to overcome their challenges. This experience is built on decades of being thrown problems to solve while airborne from troops in contact with no air support, to not enough air refueling aircraft to satisfy demand, working through the process of taking care of multiple high performers against limited opportunities to share, to grappling with the most tragic consequences of hopelessness.
PASSIONATE ABOUT SHARING. Ed’s biggest contributing moment to his thoughts on public speaking came from a former Chief of Staff of the US Air Force who once reminded leaders – “when you take the guidon with one hand, pick up a microphone with the other”. Fully embracing that notion, Ed has spoken at countless events as a senior officer including in front of a camera, in front of families, and alongside his fellow warfighters in every format from graduations ceremonies, promotions, and retirements, to daily, weekly, and monthly events in front of almost 2,000 people.
HOW IS ED DIFFERENT?
· EDUCATIONAL ·
Ed Goebel’s content is lasting, universal, and inspiring. Your participants will come away from the event with a better understanding of their “why”, clarity of purpose, and empowering, actionable how-to’s to help them perform at their next level as well as lead more extraordinary lives.
· TIMELY ·
Our world – and workforces – are in a constant state of change. As leaders, and as people, the way we manage, communicate, collaborate, and connect has to have the flexibility to change as well. Ed helps audiences create the mindsets and skill sets they need to meet the demands of an ever-shifting world with more agility and ease with a whole lot less stress!
· ENGAGING ·
An incredible combination of humor, stories, strategy, and relevant messaging, Ed reaches and connects with every member of your audience. Whether they are in leadership, management, sales, service, support, or education, he’ll have them captivated, inspired, and eager to take positive action!
Interested in bringing Ed to your event? Fill out the form below!
