Purpose Under Pressure: Leadership Lessons from Survival & Real-World Challenges
Location
Hemmingson 201
Start Date
28-3-2026 11:10 AM
End Date
28-3-2026 12:00 AM
Description
Description: This storytelling journey will explore how purpose becomes the defining force behind effective leadership when conditions are ambiguous and stressful. Drawing from experiences as an Air Force Survival Instructor and senior leader, the breakout session examines how clarity of purpose guides decision-making, builds resilience across teams, and earns trust when authority alone is insufficient. Participants will reflect on how identity, values, and purpose shape their leadership approach and leave with practical insight into leading themselves and others when it matters most. Speaker Bio: Mike Rutland is a leadership practitioner with experience in survival training, operations, and team leadership. He has led teams in high-pressure environments where clarity of purpose was essential for performance, resilience, and trust. His work focuses on purpose-driven leadership and human-centered development.
Recommended Citation
Rutland, Mike, "Purpose Under Pressure: Leadership Lessons from Survival & Real-World Challenges" (2026). Payne Center for Leadership Development Student Leadership Conference. 7.
https://repository.gonzaga.edu/payne_slc/2026/general/7
Purpose Under Pressure: Leadership Lessons from Survival & Real-World Challenges
Hemmingson 201
Description: This storytelling journey will explore how purpose becomes the defining force behind effective leadership when conditions are ambiguous and stressful. Drawing from experiences as an Air Force Survival Instructor and senior leader, the breakout session examines how clarity of purpose guides decision-making, builds resilience across teams, and earns trust when authority alone is insufficient. Participants will reflect on how identity, values, and purpose shape their leadership approach and leave with practical insight into leading themselves and others when it matters most. Speaker Bio: Mike Rutland is a leadership practitioner with experience in survival training, operations, and team leadership. He has led teams in high-pressure environments where clarity of purpose was essential for performance, resilience, and trust. His work focuses on purpose-driven leadership and human-centered development.