About Nathan Powell
Nathan Powell | Colonel, United States Air Force
I've spent 24 years learning what leadership actually looks like under pressure — not in a classroom, but in cockpits, command posts, and conference rooms where the decisions were real and the consequences mattered.
As an Air Force officer, I've been entrusted with responsibilities that go well beyond flying airplanes. I've managed nearly an $18 billion portfolio of the Air Force budget, been tapped by the Secretary of the Air Force to lead the development of an alternate force design, commanded organizations of more than 450 people, and served as the commander responsible for a $2 billion airfield — the largest in the western Pacific —and Pacific Air Forces only tactical airlift fleet.
I have observed first-hand that singularly great acts don’t create successful organizations. Success comes from consistent, principled leadership. Specifically, the kind of leadership that builds trust across diverse teams, makes sound decisions under uncertainty, maintains strategic focus, and develops the next generation of people who can do the same.
That's why I started The Gryphon.
What This Site Is
The Gryphon is where I share what 24 years of practical experience has taught me — not leadership theory, but the real lessons that come from actually being responsible for people and outcomes. My audience is anyone serious about becoming a better leader: new supervisors finding their footing, mid-career professionals navigating complexity, and executives who want honest perspective from someone who's led at scale.
I draw on military history, personal experience, and the kind of hard-won wisdom you only get when the stakes are high, and all eyes are on you.
Speaking & Advisory
I speak on leadership, organizational culture, decision-making under pressure, and the intersection of military and civilian leadership development. If you're interested in having me speak to your organization or exploring an advisory conversation, reach out directly.
📩 Nathan@thenathanpowell.com
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