Summary In this episode of the Lead with Purpose podcast, Merv Jersak interviews Dave Sanderson, a leadership speaker and resilience coach. Dave shares his transformative experience as the last passenger to leave the downed US Airways flight #1549, now known as the “Miracle on the Hudson”. Dave discusses the lessons learned from that life-changing event, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, situational leadership, and maintaining calm in crises. He reflects on his personal growth, the significance of family, and the journey from corporate life to becoming a motivational speaker. The conversation highlights how moments of crisis can lead to profound insights and a renewed sense of purpose.
For Your Leadership Toolkit:
Sound Bites
"That last sixty seconds when you think you're going to die... it's surreal."
"I realized I did not spend enough time with my family."
"The mission of that day was: No one dies today."
"Leadership isn't about knowing everything. Leadership is about making the next decision."
"What's my next best move?"
"People will look to whoever has the most certainty in that moment."
"Everybody checked their ego at the door because now we had to work together as a team."
"The right side of the plane had to be managed by passengers like me who had no experience and no training."
"You don't need permission to lead."
"People value people."
"Having humility and having gratitude helped me more than anything else."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Resilience
02:49 The Miracle on the Hudson: A Life-Changing Experience
07:34 Moments of Clarity: Life Lessons in Crisis
13:08 Leadership in Crisis: Teamwork and Decision Making
18:13 Panic vs. Urgency: The Importance of Composure
22:41 Situational Leadership in Crisis
28:42 The Journey to Speaking and Leadership Consulting
Resources
Dave’s Website: https://davesandersonspeaks.com/
Dave on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiredavesanderson/