From the Cockpit to the Boardroom
Performance psychologist Jack A. Stark — the architect behind 22 national championships and 8 NASCAR titles — reveals the mental and organizational principles that create elite performance in any arena.
Includes 6 companion audio tracks — accessed exclusively via QR codes inside the book
By Jack A. Stark, Ph.D. & Ted Carter
50+ years as a performance psychologist. Team psychologist for the Nebraska Cornhusker dynasty (3 national championships, 88% win rate) and Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR (8 championships). Consulted to 50+ Fortune 500 companies. Founder, National Center for Coaches.
Licensed clinical psychologist. Tenured professor, UNMC. University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Author/co-author of multiple books. 200+ scientific papers. 80,000+ patient/client sessions.
Full Biography →
Retired Vice Admiral and former Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. A decorated naval aviator with over 5,000 flight hours and 1,000 carrier landings, Ted Carter led at the highest levels of military command — including as the 62nd Superintendent of Annapolis, where he oversaw the education and development of America's future naval officers.
Former President of the University of Nebraska system. NATO and joint command experience across multiple combat deployments. Recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and numerous other military honors.
The mental disciplines forged in a fighter jet cockpit and the organizational principles behind America's greatest sports dynasties share more in common than you might think. Top Gun Performance reveals what they are — and how to apply them.
What it takes to earn the Top Gun designation — the mental disciplines, standards, and commitment to excellence that the program demands and develops.
The psychological frameworks that allow fighter pilots — and championship athletes — to perform at their peak when the stakes are highest and the margin for error is zero.
The organizational principles that create and sustain elite teams — drawn from military aviation and championship sports dynasties.
How Top Gun graduates lead — not through rank alone but through competence, trust, and relentless pursuit of organizational excellence.
The specific mental and organizational principles that transfer from cockpit to boardroom, from flight deck to locker room, from military command to corporate leadership.
The debrief culture of military aviation — and how organizations that adopt systematic, ego-free performance review dominate their industries.
Top Gun Performance includes 6 exclusive companion audio tracks — accessible only through QR codes embedded in the book. Each track extends the book's principles with additional content, exercises, and deeper dives into specific topics.
Audio tracks are for book owners only. Each QR code unlocks a dedicated page on this site.
6 Tracks Included
Access via QR code in book
Available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and major booksellers. Includes 6 exclusive companion audio tracks.
Includes QR codes for 6 exclusive companion audio tracks. · ISBN 978-1-64012-623-7 · Potomac Books, 2025