Jake DeRuyter ’15 - A Leader's Ups and Downs

Jake DeRuyter, a 2015 Air Force Academy graduate, shares a compelling leadership journey marked by unexpected challenges and resilient adaptation. ----more----

SUMMARY Initially aspiring to be a pilot, Jake faced a critical moment when back surgery disqualified him from his dream career, forcing him to quickly choose a new Air Force Specialty Code within just one hour. Despite the uncertainty, he remained calm and strategic, ultimately transitioning to intelligence and then to an ROTC instructor role. His leadership philosophy emerged from these experiences: staying flexible, maintaining a strong network, and focusing on developing others rather than just personal advancement.

 

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JAKE'S LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS

 - Always be willing to adapt and stay resilient when unexpected challenges arise, like Jake did when he couldn't become a pilot and had to quickly choose a new career path.

 - Build and maintain a strong network of connections, as these relationships can help you navigate career transitions and provide support.

 - Focus on developing the people around you, not just your own career advancement. A great leader lifts up their team and helps others grow.

 - Stay proactive in reaching out to people, checking in, and genuinely listening to their stories and experiences.

 - Be willing to take risks on talented individuals, especially those from similar backgrounds or networks, like how Jake was given an opportunity by fellow graduates.

 - Maintain a competitive spirit and drive, but channel it into continuous self-improvement and supporting others.

 - Give back to your community, whether through mentoring, volunteering, or leading local chapters and organizations.

 - Be prepared to put in consistent daily effort, understanding that success comes from habits and persistent hard work.

 - Stay open to unexpected opportunities and be willing to pivot when your initial career path doesn't work out.

 - Prioritize relationships and connections over individual achievements, recognizing that your success is often measured by the people you've helped develop.

 

JAKE'S TOP 5 LEADERSHIP LESSONS

Here are the 5 best leadership lessons from Jake DeRuyter's interview:

 

Build Others Up, Not Just Yourself

Jake emphasized that true leadership is about developing the people around you. As he said, "Don't just worry about your own career and life" - great leaders are judged by the success of those they mentor and support.

 

Stay Adaptable and Resilient

When Jake's pilot career was unexpectedly derailed, he demonstrated the critical leadership skill of staying calm under pressure and quickly pivoting. He chose to focus on what he could control rather than getting stuck on what he couldn't change.

 

Maintain Genuine Connections

Jake consistently stressed the importance of reaching out, checking in with people, and truly listening. He makes time to connect with classmate