Breaking the barrier: TOPGUN, speed and leadership
Talks for founders, executives and operators on breaking the invisible leadership barriers that fast growth and high-risk environments create. From main stages to leadership offsites.
Signature talks
Breaking the Demon
Overcoming hidden leadership barriers
In the 1940s, test pilots believed a demon waited at the speed of sound: a wall in the air that shook aircraft apart. In 1961, the Soviet Union put the first human into space, and America was losing the space race. And by 1969, U.S. Navy fighter pilots had lost a 10X advantage over less technologically advanced adversaries.
None of these were solved by technology or the force of one leader alone. Each solution required leadership systems that removed barriers, aligned effort and delivered usable feedback at the speed these challenges demanded.
Organisations that grow fast, work under high risk, or face fast-changing markets can learn to identify the hidden barriers challenging their leadership teams — and this talk shows how to break through them.
Danger Close
Leadership at the Edge
How does a farm boy from a small town in Oklahoma end up at the U.S. Naval Academy, flying fighters into combat from nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, graduating from TOPGUN and teaching at the world's premier air warfare centre of excellence?
A story-led talk about becoming a naval aviator: surviving combat and night landings at sea, flying into danger to save others, and what the real TOPGUN is like. It's a motivational look at overcoming perceived barriers and fear, and why life often begins after the flying stops.
Fun, fast and personal, with lessons that land for any audience.
Formats
Keynote
Built for a main stage, from 20 to 45 minutes
Fireside chat
A conversation for founders and operators, with room for the audience's own questions
Working session
Hands-on with a leadership team, building the leadership system your organisation is missing
Panel moderation
Getting quickly to what actually happened, drawing out every perspective and keeping the panel moving
Recent appearances
| 18 Sep 2026 | Startup Summit Lisbon Moderator, "The Operator's Playbook", Unicorn Stage | Lisbon |
| 18 Sep 2026 | Startup Summit Lisbon Fireside, "What Comes After Product-Market Fit", Impact Stage | Lisbon |
| 21 Apr 2026 | American Club of Lisbon "Danger Close: Leadership at the Edge" | Lisbon |
| Earlier | International Men of Purpose Talk on personal growth and mentorship | Portugal |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of America Keynote, European District Public Speaking Finals | Europe | |
| University of Maryland Global Campus Graduation keynote, Southern Europe | Europe |
For event organisers
Ed Chandler is a former U.S. naval aviator and TOPGUN graduate who went on to teach tactics and leadership at the world's premier air warfare centre of excellence. With a 30-year leadership career spanning roles across the Asia-Pacific, NATO and U.S. Navy headquarters in Europe, today he helps leaders build the systems that keep up with their company's growth. Founder of PriFly Advisors, based in Lisbon and available worldwide.