Retired fighter pilot Derek Oaks releases leadership book Velocity

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Oaks has released Velocity: Creating a Culture of Confident Decision-Makers, a leadership book built from three decades in high-stakes military environments. The July 17 release aims to help organizations move faster, build trust and reduce the hesitation that slows decisions.

Why it matters: - Velocity targets a problem that slows organizations down: capable people waiting for permission instead of acting with confidence. - The book’s core promise is practical. It aims to help leaders reduce bottlenecks, speed up decisions and improve performance under pressure. - The timing matters as companies face faster decisions amid AI adoption, geopolitical instability, and shifting markets.

What happened: - Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Oaks released Velocity: Creating a Culture of Confident Decision-Makers on July 17, 2026. - The book is now available on Amazon. - Oaks is a retired combat-tested A-10 fighter pilot and former commander. - Oaks also leads Decisive Leadership, a speaking and corporate training company.

The details: - Velocity draws on more than 30 years of leadership in environments where hesitation had real consequences. - The book argues that leadership failures often come from unclear vision, misplaced control, fear of failure, and cultures that train people to wait. - Oaks presents a framework for building teams that understand the mission, trust their judgment, take ownership and act decisively. - The book includes guidance on creating clear vision, building permission-free teams, replacing fear-based cultures with trust and accountability, and preparing people to stay calm under pressure. - Oaks says the book applies beyond the military and is meant for leaders in companies, teams and personal leadership settings. - Oaks is known for a calm command presence and for turning complex leadership issues into actionable principles. - The book will be backed by media appearances, leadership conversations, executive programs and behind-the-scenes interviews. - Those interviews are expected to focus on readiness, trust, communication and performance under pressure. - A LinkedIn profile is available here: Derek Oaks executive leadership profile.

Between the lines: - The book’s pitch reflects a broader management trend: organizations are looking for leaders who can move quickly without sacrificing judgment. - Oaks is packaging military decision-making as an operating model for business, which could appeal to executives under pressure to do more with less time. - The emphasis on trust and initiative suggests the book is as much about culture change as it is about leadership technique.

What's next: - Oaks plans to promote the book through media, speaking engagements and executive training. - Decisive Leadership is set to use Velocity as part of its broader leadership offerings. - The book’s reach will likely expand through interviews and corporate programs tied to leadership readiness and decision-making.