Navy Seal and nascent movie actor Lt Cmdr Rorke Denver gave hard-earned advice on how to develop top performing teams to a packed AUVSI opening session yesterday.

Denver, who says he has taken advantage of a variety of unmanned systems, including Ravens and Predators, in his various tours and combat with the Seals, stars in the recent movie Act of Valor, a fictional action movie about the Seals. Denver, who only half-jokingly refers to himself as a professional gunfighter, is also publishing his first book in January.

Advice included following a battle-proven strategy of "calm is contagious", testing new employees "to almost the breaking point" and tapping into their strengths early, marking the importance of senior leaders "getting their hands dirty" to keep in touch with all aspects of a business, and taking advantage of different personalities within a company or group.

Source: Flight Daily News