Sarah Furness – Lessons from the Cockpit
Performing under pressure isn’t easy. When the stakes are high, most of us feel our confidence wobble. But for former RAF combat helicopter pilot Sarah Furness, staying calm and effective under extreme pressure was part of the job.
After 20 years flying missions in some of the most challenging environments, Sarah knows first-hand what it takes to keep a cool head and make the right decisions when it matters most. Now a sought-after leadership and resilience keynote speaker, she translates those cockpit lessons into practical strategies that help teams and organisations thrive.
Who is Sarah Furness?
Sarah spent two decades serving in the Royal Air Force as a helicopter pilot and Squadron Leader. She led crews in hostile environments, made tough calls under fire, and understood what it means to shoulder responsibility for other people’s lives.
Her unique background means she can speak about resilience, performance and leadership with real-world credibility. Sarah blends military precision with a warm, relatable style that audiences find inspiring and highly practical.
Today, she works with businesses, schools, and charities around the world, teaching the mindset and tools that allow people to stay composed under pressure and unlock their true potential.
What does Sarah Furness talk about in her keynotes?
Sarah’s talks are rooted in her experiences as a combat pilot, but they are designed for anyone who faces pressure – whether that’s leading a team, handling a crisis, or navigating change.
She speaks on:
- Resilience and wellbeing – managing stress in high-pressure environments
- Leadership under fire – lessons on decision-making and accountability
- Performance psychology – training the mind to respond, not react
- Adaptability – thriving in uncertain and fast-changing situations
What are Sarah Furness’s top lessons from the cockpit?
In her speeches, Sarah distils years of frontline experience into clear, relatable takeaways. Here are her three most powerful lessons:
1. Strong people don’t always feel strong
Even the most capable individuals doubt themselves. Sarah reminds us that intelligence and competence don’t guarantee unshakeable confidence – and that’s okay. By recognising vulnerability, we create space for resilience and empathy.
2. Performance under pressure isn’t instinctive
High performance doesn’t just “kick in” when times get tough. It’s learned. Pilots, athletes and leaders train themselves to manage pressure so they can think clearly and act decisively. Sarah emphasises that with the right training and tools, anyone can learn to thrive in stressful conditions.
3. Humans can adapt and thrive
Our capacity to adapt is extraordinary. Even in the toughest conditions, people can grow, lead, and succeed – if they know how. Sarah’s talks show audiences how to build habits and mindsets that help them rise to the challenge rather than shrink from it.
Why book Sarah Furness as a keynote speaker?
Few speakers can combine thrilling frontline stories with practical, science-backed strategies. Sarah does both. Her RAF background gives her instant authority, while her engaging, down-to-earth style makes her relatable to any audience.
Audiences walk away not just inspired, but equipped with tools to perform better under pressure, lead with confidence, and support their teams more effectively.
Key takeaway
Pressure doesn’t have to break us. With training, mindset and self-awareness, we can all learn to perform – and even thrive – under pressure.
That’s the lesson Sarah Furness brings from the cockpit to the conference stage.
