CZ Lopez

So I started making sure that they had all the information they needed.

I started to make sure that we were in time, that we were passing the inspections.

Those that were struggling with certain things, I started putting the time to help them out.

And it was in that process that I wrote that letter to my sister.

And I told her, I was like, hey, you know, wow, I think I'm finding a place to exist here.

Especially this thing about being in charge of things, having a responsibility for other than self that I'm really, really gravitating towards.

And I believe that that was the first time that I figured out that maybe this leadership thing is something that is in you.

that you can grow over time.

And by the way, I don't believe that leaders are born or any of that crap.

I believe that if you put yourself in certain situations, you either rise above or fall under.

And it's all about your courage to keep on pressing forward.

That eventually makes you the leader that you become.

And that never changed throughout the years.

When I became a pararescueman, it was the same thing.

I always decided to take charge.

I never took, like the subtitle of the book, taking charge instead of taking shit.

That's where that comes from.

Because I learned early on that when you start taking charge of things, you have control of the actions that actually equate to the outcome.

And if those actions and that control is positive and empowering of others, you get to do magnificent things.

And that was a constant drum meet all the way throughout my career to where I realized, all right, own it, be responsible, be accountable, and empower people to achieve the goal.