EPISODE · May 11, 2026 · 47 MIN
What an Air Disaster Taught Me About Extreme Leadership | Jay Jacobson
from Stay Hungry · host Matthew Malan
Most leaders confuse a title with influence. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Jay Jacobson, a funeral director with over 45 years of experience, to explore what real leadership looks like when the stakes are at their highest. Jay shares hard-won lessons from caring for grieving families, working the United Flight 232 air disaster, and testifying before the U.S. Senate at age 31 after 36 hours without sleep. He unpacks the difference between being a boss and being a leader, why integrity has to be practiced long before a crisis hits, and how reading a room has become the new essential skill in a screen-saturated world. If you lead people, serve clients, or want to build a life that's remembered for the right reasons, this conversation will reframe how you show up.Key Takeaways• Leaders are followed because of vision and care, not because of a title or job description.• Integrity is built in small daily decisions, not summoned in a crisis.• Write down your mission, values, and non-negotiables so you know exactly where the line is.• Be fully present. "Be where your feet are" is the greatest gift you can give the people around you.• People skills, especially reading a room, are the new competitive advantage in a world of unlimited information.• Don't wait for retirement to live. Make memories now, because tomorrow isn't promised.• Play the long game. Serve people so well today that they remember you 20 years from now.About the GuestJay Jacobson is a veteran funeral director with over 45 years of experience guiding families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. He has worked major crisis events including the United Flight 232 air disaster, testified before the U.S. Senate on behalf of the funeral service industry, and spent decades mentoring younger funeral directors. He is the author of Lead by Legendary Example, a leadership book built around real stories from his career, paired with a 10-week course for developing leaders inside any organization.Connect with Jay• Website: Jacobsonprostaff.com• Cookies: Jayscookies.net• LinkedIn: Jay Jacobson• Book: Lead by Legendary ExampleAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
What this episode covers
Most leaders confuse a title with influence. In this episode, Matthew sits down with Jay Jacobson, a funeral director with over 45 years of experience, to explore what real leadership looks like when the stakes are at their highest. Jay shares hard-won lessons from caring for grieving families, working the United Flight 232 air disaster, and testifying before the U.S. Senate at age 31 after 36 hours without sleep. He unpacks the difference between being a boss and being a leader, why integrity has to be practiced long before a crisis hits, and how reading a room has become the new essential skill in a screen-saturated world. If you lead people, serve clients, or want to build a life that's remembered for the right reasons, this conversation will reframe how you show up.Key Takeaways• Leaders are followed because of vision and care, not because of a title or job description.• Integrity is built in small daily decisions, not summoned in a crisis.• Write down your mission, values, and non-negotiables so you know exactly where the line is.• Be fully present. "Be where your feet are" is the greatest gift you can give the people around you.• People skills, especially reading a room, are the new competitive advantage in a world of unlimited information.• Don't wait for retirement to live. Make memories now, because tomorrow isn't promised.• Play the long game. Serve people so well today that they remember you 20 years from now.About the GuestJay Jacobson is a veteran funeral director with over 45 years of experience guiding families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. He has worked major crisis events including the United Flight 232 air disaster, testified before the U.S. Senate on behalf of the funeral service industry, and spent decades mentoring younger funeral directors. He is the author of Lead by Legendary Example, a leadership book built around real stories from his career, paired with a 10-week course for developing leaders inside any organization.Connect with Jay• Website: Jacobsonprostaff.com• Cookies: Jayscookies.net• LinkedIn: Jay Jacobson• Book: Lead by Legendary ExampleAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
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What an Air Disaster Taught Me About Extreme Leadership | Jay Jacobson
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