From Unbreakable Spirit to Strategic Visionary – A Journey of Leadership, Legacy, and Staying Human.
Indiana: Welcome to the Reed Manga Series! Today, we have a guest whose resume reads like an epic adventure novel. Jericho McClellan is a strategic visionary, tactical expert, and former US Air Force member. Jericho, it’s a pleasure to have you here.
Jericho: Thank you, Indiana. I’m honored to be here.
Indiana: Tell me about your name. It’s pretty unusual.
Jericho: I was given my name by my father, who wanted his son to embody an unbreakable spirit—something so formidable it could only be brought down by God. The name Jericho itself comes from one of the world’s oldest cities, famous for its ancient walls that, according to legend, could only be toppled by divine intervention. Growing up with this powerful symbolism, I spent years reflecting on my identity and the legacy embedded in this name.
Indiana: Jericho, that’s a remarkable story behind your name. It carries with it a legacy of strength and resilience, like the ancient city’s walls —it’s inspiring. I can’t wait to dive into the principles and experiences that have made you who you are. Tell me about your career in the Air Force.
Jericho: I served over a decade in the U.S. Air Force, enlisting at 18 partly to satisfy a deep curiosity about who I was and what I could become. I rose through the ranks in the Air Force Security Forces and spent ten years as an instructor (in the US but also overseas, in South Korea, and Afghanistan), training over 25,000 students in both tactical and practical skills. My journey included leading diverse operational teams across a range of mission types, each with unique goals and objectives.
When I transitioned from military to civilian life, I brought with me what I call my “Air Power Superpowers.” Chief among them was the principle that if you truly understand the fundamentals—the black and white—of any process or system, you can learn, excel, and adapt to any role. Although the commercial industry presented new challenges, I found the rules of success remained the same.
Indiana: Currently you operate as a ‘strategic visionary and tactical expert’—quite the title! Could you break down and explain what that means?
Jericho: Absolutely. As a strategic visionary, I’m able to see the big picture, the long-term goals, and how they connect across an organization. Meanwhile, being a tactical expert means I can break that vision down into specific, actionable steps. It’s about seeing the endgame while staying grounded in practical details, so every part of the operation drives toward the same goal.
It’s about connection. I learned to communicate the strategic goals of an organization directly with the frontline teams executing the tasks. By aligning everyone’s understanding of both the ‘why’ and the ‘how,’ I create buy-in across the board, from executive offices to the field. That way, people don’t just follow orders; they’re invested in the mission.
Indiana: Such a refreshing take on leadership. You’re currently working on AI integration and promoting the idea of ‘staying human.’ Could you tell us more about that vision?
Jericho: Sure. In my view, AI should enhance human work, not replace it. By pairing AI with human intelligence, empathy, and logic, I believe we can make workplaces more fulfilling. #StayHuman – I’ve hashtagged this on LinkedIn – is about remembering that technology serves us—not the other way around.
Rediscovering Purpose: The Lost Art of Meaningful Connections in a Fast-Paced World
Indiana: Jericho, you’ve spoken a lot about the values your family instilled in you. How did that foundation shape your perspective on purpose and what it means to live a meaningful life?
Jericho: Growing up, I watched my dad work as a muralist and solopreneur, but the truth is, he was never really ‘solo.’ My mom was always there, supporting him in ways that others might not see. Together, they showed me the meaning of commitment—not just to work, but to each other and the community. Back then, I didn’t fully grasp what they were doing or the value behind it, but it was the example I saw daily.
Indiana: It sounds like they taught you some powerful lessons. Was there anything in particular that your parents shared with you that really stuck?
Jericho: Definitely. I remember one day, we were out buying a motorcycle he wanted to fix up and sell, and he told me, ‘Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay.’ I realized he wasn’t just talking about money; he was talking about value in every sense. That idea guided me in the military, where integrity, service, and excellence—core Air Force values—were familiar concepts. I fit right in the army because these values had already been part of my life.
Indiana: Your parents truly led by example. How did you see those values play out on a day-to-day basis?
Jericho: My dad created art that connected with people, whether on a building, a T-shirt, or the back of a truck—his work spoke to people. My mom did the same in her own way; she was always helping others, baking for neighbors, and taking kids to church. It was their purpose to give back, and they taught me the value of persistence in pursuing one’s unique gift. Where I saw persistence in purpose pay off, was in the latter years of my late dad’s work as a muralist, I witnessed him grow, become more financially successful, and continually be given what he was worth, and it was clear that to many people, he was worth a lot. That same principle rings true for my mom to this day. She always runs into someone that she has had a positive impact on at some point in their life, and that’s precious.
Indiana: What an incredible legacy. Do you think people still value these principles today?
Jericho: Honestly, I feel like we’re losing some of that connection. With branding, advertising, and social media, there’s more emphasis on convenience and popularity than on real human relationships. As a kid, I’d go with my dad to the coffee shop and listen to older folks talk for hours, sharing stories and life lessons. We’d sit for a couple of hours and I would listen to these elderly men talk. They would share boatloads of stories from their various life experiences and reflections. I picked up a lot of that, and would often reflect on it, because I saw it as rare, and therefore valuable. I never saw my friends much in those environments, so I knew I was getting something others didn’t. I would often share these stories with friends and my three younger brothers, and some of it would spark creativity and innovative conversations or experiments. It was rare, and I recognized that. It felt valuable. Today, conversations are more fleeting and disconnected from real life. It’s less tangible, and it’s sad because we’re social beings who need acknowledgment, appreciation, and community.
Indiana: Jericho, you make such an insightful point about the depth those in-person conversations brought to your life—something many young people today might miss out on. In your experience, what can we do to help younger generations find that sense of purpose in a world that’s so focused on quick interactions and virtual connections? How can we guide them toward those deeper, more meaningful relationships and reflections that helped shape you?
Jericho: That’s a great question, Indiana. I think many young people today struggle to find their purpose because they’re caught in a cycle of ‘keeping up with the Joneses,’ always chasing the next trend or distraction. They often follow prescribed paths laid out for them—by parents, schools, and even businesses—without taking the time to truly reflect on what they want out of life. Young people these days are used to being told what to do, how to do it, and where to do it. This lack of introspection can lead to confusion about their own values and purpose. They don’t often ask themselves the fundamental question “Why Am I alive?” “What is life about? Asking themselves those questions can help them dig deeper into their own motivations and beliefs. I learned these as a kid because I saw them and heard them from the lips of the adults around me. It was all about relationships, love, learning from past mistakes, and outdoing yourself from yesterday; today, I don’t see a whole lot of that anymore, which is sad.
To help guide them, we need to foster environments that encourage deep conversations and personal reflection. We can start by creating safe spaces—like community gatherings or mentorship programs—where young people can engage in meaningful discussions and share their experiences, just like I did in those coffee shop sessions with my dad.
Ultimately, we have to remind them that it’s okay to take a step back, to be curious, and to reflect on their journey. By cultivating a culture of authenticity and vulnerability, we can help the next generation discover their purpose and thrive in a world that lacks substance.
Indiana: In your opinion, what do you think holds people back from recognizing their true purpose in life?
Jericho: Interestingly, I often don’t hear people outright say they lack purpose. Instead, they seem to be living their lives as best they can, yet there’s a sense that something is missing. To truly seek purpose, one must first acknowledge that life is inherently meaningful and not just a series of coincidences.
At a fundamental level, this taps into a deeper debate: Are we here by chance, through random evolution, or are we part of a divine design? If we were created with intention, then surely our existence must carry some purpose. After all, we don’t create without a reason, and it stands to reason that a greater power wouldn’t either.
I don’t impose my beliefs on others; rather, I challenge their thinking. Without posing the right questions to ourselves, we risk remaining oblivious to the answers. I believe that living your purpose is a path you’ve already been walking, and your acknowledgment of it doesn’t immediately yield some miraculous intervention, though it can. It’s crucial to find value in the journey itself rather than solely fixating on the destination. If we only chase the end goals, we might rush past experiences, avoiding meaningful interactions and insights along the way.
We should make a point of making eye contact with people around us, even during mundane tasks like getting coffee; by doing so we open ourselves up to the richness of life. Both positive and negative experiences shape us, and if we learn from the negative, it helps us recognize and amplify the positive aspects of our lives.
I believe that as we become more aware of our internal guidance systems—whether through self-help, coaching, or other methods—and actively practice mindfulness, we can uncover improvements in areas we once overlooked. I can attest to this from personal experience; it took many failures, missteps, and sacrifices to reach this level of self-awareness and reflection. Much of my growth came from observing and communicating with others.
In today’s engaging conversation on the Reed Manga Series, Jericho shared his inspiring journey from the U.S. Air Force to becoming a strategic visionary and tactical expert. He delved into the significance of purpose, emphasizing that many people live without fully recognizing the depth of who they are and why they are here. Jericho attributed his sense of purpose to the strong foundation laid by his parents, who modeled commitment and the value of relationships.
He highlighted the importance of fostering environments that encourage deeper conversations and self-reflection, particularly for younger generations who often feel lost amidst the distractions of modern life. As we wrap up part 1 of our discussion, I invite you to stay tuned in for Part 2, where we’ll explore themes of integrity and excellence, curiosity and wisdom, and how to turn underdogs into top dogs. Join us as we continue to uncover the keys to living a meaningful and impactful life!
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The post The Reed Manga Series – Honored Guest – Jericho McClellan – Part 1 appeared first on Author Joanne Reed.