No Pressure: ...But Don't Mess This Up

by Gabriel Avilla

Leading in the modern military across multiple generations takes a constantly evolving set of skills to ensure no one is left behind. Being selected to serve as a squadron commander in the Air Force is potentially the greatest level of influence you can have on people that will last for the rest of their career. "No Pressure...But Don't Mess This Up" provides practical advice and reality-tested recommendations on how you can successfully serve across your command tour and be the inspirational leader everyone needs you to be.

157 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2020

About the author

Gabriel “gaberock” Avilla currently is a Lieutenant Colonel in the active-duty U.S. Air Force and has twice served as a squadron commander. His passion for leadership and sharing his lessons learned drove him to write No Pressure...But Don’t Mess This Up. Gabriel shares authentic stories and advice over the arc of a squadron command tour for the audience to absorb and incorporate into their own leadership style. This book isn’t your typical self-improvement material, but rather the type of advice to help you grow to be a genuine leader that never loses their sense of authenticity. If you’re ready to be the leader you’ve always wanted to follow, you’ve found the right place to get started!

Reviews

[Barry Engelhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I’ve never been an Air Force Squadron Commander, learning the position through the lens of Gabriel Avilla was a powerful reminder in servant leadership. While No Pressure focuses on his two command assignments, it’s far more than niche book for future commanders. Avilla is well aware that rank can make you a commander, but only the trust & respect of your troops makes you a leader. No Pressure focuses on the importance of growth & mentorship, meeting people where they are & engaging the lowest level/those closest to the decision to force multiply results.

Most military leadership books focus on the mission first philosophy, telling sexy war stories while ignoring the real work-training. Avilla focuses on the countless hours spent proactively preparing his Airmen. No plan survives first contact (as us Army folk like to say). Properly trained, developed & empowered men & women are set up for success. While the commander will always have ultimate responsibly for those under his care, he earns his keep by how he prepares. Well trained & cared for individuals will be ready to respond to stress & chaos, just as a true leader’s job is provide support before, during & after.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not military of any kind, but heard about this book from my friend who got me into CrossFit because the author is one of our coaches!

I'm a first-time manager (6 months old now) and the concepts in this book translate incredibly well to the private sector! Building a positive team that meshes well, thinks critically and with empowerment, and does what's right starts with you as a leader being a positive example of those things you want to instill. No where does Coach Gabe say this is easy to do - but there are numerous passages where he summarizes that being this authentic person is completely worth all the effort.

Great read! I do have a bookshelf of leadership books in my office 😜, and this deserves a space on the shelf of the most helpful ones I've read.