How a Former Air Force Pilot Transformed Software Development | Military Leadership in Tech with Nate Amidon

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The EO Visionary Voices Podcast

Brent W. Peterson

85 episodes

1 week ago

I'm Brent Peterson from the Minnesota chapter of Entrepreneurs' Organization, and I believe every entrepreneur's journey is a marathon worth sharing. EO Visionary Voices brings you raw, honest conversations with founders who understand that building a business isn't about the sprint—it's about strategic endurance. Each episode, I sit down with EO members, startup founders, and seasoned Entrepreneurs who've learned that success comes from preparation, persistence, and the willingness to adjust mid-race. We dig into the pivots that changed everything, the mistakes that taught the most, and how these leaders use frameworks like EOS to turn complexity into clarity. You'll hear stories about balancing growth with purpose, leveraging peer learning, and building companies that can go the distance. Because entrepreneurship isn't just about crossing the finish line—it's about how you run the race. Whether you're starting mile one or approaching mile twenty-six, these conversations will give you the insights and inspiration to keep moving forward. After all, we're all in this ultramarathon together. Welcome to EO Visionary Voices—where entrepreneurs share the strategies that matter most.

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How a Former Air Force Pilot Transformed Software Development | Military Leadership in Tech with Nate Amidon

The EO Visionary Voices Podcast

18 minutes

1 week ago

How a Former Air Force Pilot Transformed Software Development | Military Leadership in Tech with Nate Amidon

In this compelling episode of EO Voices, host Brent Peterson sits down with Nate Amidon, CEO of Form 100 Consulting, to explore the fascinating intersection of military aviation and modern software development. Nate's unique journey from flying C-17 cargo planes in the Air Force to leading an agile consulting firm reveals powerful insights about leadership, communication, and executing under pressure.

Discover how military principles translate seamlessly into software development success. Nate breaks down why plans never survive "first contact with the enemy" and how agile methodologies mirror combat aviation strategies. He shares battle-tested frameworks for alignment, communication, and implementing what he calls the "MVP" – Minimum Viable Process – that prevents both organizational chaos and process paralysis.

This conversation goes deep into the critical importance of documentation, two-way communication, and why your software team needs to answer one fundamental question: "Why do we exist?" Nate reveals how hiring former military officers brings exceptional leadership to enterprise software organizations and shares insights on helping veterans transition successfully into the private sector.

We explore the Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS), Nate's experience in the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), and how structured frameworks create business success. The discussion tackles AI's role in software development, distinguishing hype from reality, and how these tools serve as "nail guns versus hammers" – still requiring expertise to build the house.

Whether you're leading a software team, transitioning from military service, or seeking better project management strategies, this episode delivers actionable insights from someone who's navigated both high-stakes aviation and enterprise software development.

Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction & Opening Joke
1:20 - Nate's Background: From Air Force Pilot to Agile Coach
4:28 - Agile vs Waterfall: Why Plans Don't Survive First Contact
7:04 - The Minimum Viable Process Framework
8:16 - Documentation & Communication: Learning from Military Bureaucracy
10:11 - EOS and Entrepreneur Operating System Principles
12:00 - The Value of EO (Entrepreneurs' Organization)
13:28 - How Aviation Checklists Improve Software Development
15:23 - Balancing Coaching with Advice-Giving
17:47 - AI's Role in Software Development: Separating Hype from Reality
21:08 - Shameless Plug & How to Connect with Nate

Connect with Nate Amidon:
Website: https://form100consulting.com
Email: nate.amidon@form100consulting.com
LinkedIn: Nate Amidon