About Jim
My Mission: Ensure you Excel through your Leadership Unleashed
Chapter 1 – Early Stages
When I was 5, our neighbors asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I said what I knew: “I want to be a pilot… just like Pontius!” (Can you tell I grew up in a Catholic household?!)
I was an average kid from a modest family and my parents put me in the Catholic school across town, which meant I didn’t really have any friends nearby. As the youngest of four, I was always looking to be included in things with my older siblings, but they were all quite a lot older than me. Little did I know it then but creating inclusion and ensuring people know they matter started to imprint on me.
Chapter 2 – Learning Discipline & Focus
Excellence was not a part of my life until I entered the Royal Military College in Saint-Jean, P.Q. at age 17. I learned about leadership, discipline, and focus, and began to discover and unlock the true potential I had inside. At 21, I ended up graduating at the top of my class, winning the coveted Sword of Honor, serving as the Cadet Wing Commander, leading 500 classmates.
I was transfixed and knew I had to be in one of those jets! The only problem was that when I entered “wings” training that fall, I was told that they were flush with fighter pilots, and the only way to become one was to graduate wings at the top of my class.
I took all the discipline and focus on excellence I gained in the military college and applied it to pilot training, graduating wings with multiple trophies. This got me into fighter pilot training where I again dedicated myself to excelling – I won “top gun” – one of Canada’s top gun trophy winners and was posted to that same CF104 Squadron I had set my sights on 2 years earlier.
Chapter 3 – Focused on Excellence, Applying the Lessons
I trained and served as a single-seat fighter pilot throughout my military career, eventually serving as a senior military commander in both NORAD and NATO theatres of operations. I became a Colonel – Wing Commander of Canada’s largest fighter base, leading roughly 5,000 military and civilian personnel, responsible for billions of dollars of equipment.
In my 28 years of military service, I learned that you’ll never perform better than you prepare, and that performance will stabilize around the lowest level you’re willing to tolerate. My experience taught me that you can’t expect from people what you’re unwilling to give yourself… and you don’t get to choose when they’re watching you. As the Leader, you have to create and communicate the vision and most importantly, you have to inspire the hearts and minds of people to achieve great things. You have to earn their trust and create a culture of excellence aligned tightly around your vision within which every person knows they matter.
I was decorated for Leadership and Service to Canada by Canada’s Governor General, but my greatest satisfaction came from the many colleagues and people I served with shaking my hand and saying
“Jim, anywhere, anytime – I’d love to work with you again.”
Chapter 4 – Transferable Leadership
In the 20 years since my retirement from the military, my career has spanned senior corporate executive leadership and board positions in industry, government and not-for-profit, all focused on creating and sustaining organizational excellence. Throughout my life I’ve been focused on developing leaders who are committed to organizational excellence and outstanding performance founded on caring deeply about people, and by developing and engaging them to excel.
Chapter 5 – Giving Back
I’ve lived many chapters that have brought me to this place where I’m now passionate about serving as a:
- Skilled guide and mentor to Leaders who are committed to personal and professional growth.
- Catalyst for growth and fearless practitioner of ‘Carefrontation’ as a trustworthy accountability partner.
- Proven leader and skilled governance practitioner in High-Growth, Turn-arounds, and Corporate Mergers.
- WarriorSage – proven in intense, dynamic circumstances and having led the creation of Best Employer performance and cultures.
I am the founder and CEO of HighFlight Executive Consulting and now passionately focus on working with CEOs, Executive Teams, and high-potential leaders to create lives and businesses that exceed their dreams.
My Mission: Ensure you Excel through your Leadership Unleashed
Learn More
- Executive Coach focused on CEOs and C Suite Teams
- TEC Canada / Vistage Chair (Jan 2010-May 2012) Coached and mentored group of 18 CEOs
- Industry Change Leader focused on industry-wide reputation, Safety & Accountability, and advancing Safety Culture
- Exec Team member accountable for organizational effectiveness, culture and performance delivered through all traditional Corporate Services (HR, IT, Admin, Legal and Govt Affairs)
- Federal ADM at the National Energy Regulator accountable for operations and strategic relationships.
- Led cultural integration of merger between PanCanadian and AEC to form EnCana, Canada’s largest energy corporation at the time.
- Commanding Officer of Canada’s largest Air Force Base, also largest and most dynamic operational Fighter Wing.
- Directly accountable for 5000 military and civilian personnel including 15,000 hrs. of flight operations, engineering, environmental, logistics, support and administrative functions.
- Various operational flying roles (CF104, CF5, CF18) in NATO and NORAD theatres of operations
- Decorated for Leadership – Order of Military Merit – by the Governor General of Canada
- BAdm Royal Military College – Most Distinguished Graduate, won Sword of Honour
- Executive Development – Queenscliff Australia – Australian Forces Exec MBA
- Institute of Corporate Directors – Directors Education Program
- Board of Directors – Legal Aid Alberta
- Canadian Corps of Commissionaires – Alberta Division – Board Chair
| Tyler Chisholm
CEO clearmotive marketing |
Jim’s depth of experience as a leader across multiple industries gives him a perspective on team leadership that is refreshing and empowering. He will engage with you in a way that leaves you challenged and inspired. I recommend Jim with the highest level of confidence as a coach. |
| Terrance Kutryk Independent Director and Advisor | Jim demonstrates exemplary leadership, and he is passionate about achieving superior organizational performance. His impeccable integrity and resolute moral compass serve him well in building trust and consensus. |
| James Brown P.Eng. Professional Consultant | I appreciate Jim’s leadership and ability to maintain perspective, take in a range of views and opinions, and creatively manage risks. He implements change in a manner that strengthens the organization. |
| William Hogan
CEO Foodchek Systems |
Jim has the unique ability to pass on a high level of business acumen in an insightful and motivating manner. I highly recommend him to all individuals / companies that strive for business excellence, growth and success. |
| Steve Gagnon
CEO Corps of Commissionaires |
Jim has a profound understanding of business, governance, and leadership. As Board Chair, he inspired me to excellence and served as a trusted confidant and advisor. He skillfully worked with all Board members to improve governance in several key areas. |
