The Art of Servant Leadership with David Ocheltree

BEFORE THE PAGES

We often wonder about the history inside the books on our shelves, but rarely about the history of the person who wrote them. Today, we're proud to welcome David Ocheltree, retired U.S. Navy veteran, human resources professional, and author of The Art of Leadership, to our author feature series to share the story behind his extensive military career and actionable guide to leadership.

David’s work is a masterclass in servant leadership, bridging the gap between rigorous historical study, biblical wisdom, and practical, everyday team building. Originally born near Seattle, Washington, and now residing in Longview, Texas, his passion for unlocking human potential was forged over 26 years of military service in the United States Navy. Today, he channels that rich foundation into helping organizations build thriving teams, inviting readers to move beyond traditional management and experience the transformative power of leading with integrity and service.

A CALLING FORGED AT SEA AND IN THE CLASSROOM

For David Ocheltree, leadership has never been a theoretical exercise; it is a lived commitment to helping others achieve greatness. After retiring from the Navy in 2018, David transitioned into civilian Human Resources across manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality. In every industry, he noticed a common thread: brand-new and seasoned managers alike were rarely given formal leadership development. When David stepped up to train these teams, the response was immediate and overwhelming.

What began as a simple internal project of drafting weekly leadership messages for his team at Kiepersol Enterprises soon took on a life of its own. It was a spot-on observation from his wife, Amanda, that sparked the realization that these collected notes were actually the blueprint for a book. Driven by a desire to reach current and aspiring leaders everywhere, David structured The Art of Leadership into 52 easily digestible weekly lessons designed for real-world application.

"In the Navy, Chief Petty Officers wear an anchor with the letters 'USN.' It stands for Unity, Service, and Navigation. Unity represents harmony and purpose; Service signifies dedication to God, fellow man, and company; and Navigation reminds leaders to stay on course with integrity. That anchor has molded my personal leadership over the years."

UNCOVERING THE UNSEEN DRAMA OF HISTORY

To bring his weekly lessons to life, David embarked on an extensive research journey, partnering directly with Presidential Libraries, Historical Associations, and the White House. His goal was to uncover obscure, compelling historical anecdotes featuring famous American leaders to illustrate key management concepts. The response was astonishing, so much so that he gathered enough material for a second volume.

Among these historical discoveries were fascinating moments that highlight unexpected leadership truths. David highlights how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a passionate Star Trek fan, personally convinced actress Nichelle Nichols to remain on the show, recognizing that her ground-breaking role demonstrated intelligence, beauty, and authority for Black women in a turbulent era. Similarly, David shares President John F. Kennedy’s famous 1962 encounter with a NASA janitor who, when asked what he was doing, proudly replied, "Mr. President, I'm helping put a man on the moon." For David, these stories reinforce that every role within a team is vital to ultimate success.

THE HEART OF A SERVANT LEADER

At the core of David’s philosophy is the practice of Servant Leadership, a paradigm shift away from personal ambition toward active listening, stewardship, and empowering others to succeed. Designed as a practical 52-week roadmap tackles complex workplace dynamics through four-to-five-page, easily digestible weekly lessons. Each chapter pairs a pertinent leadership topic with scripture, historical short stories, actionable workplace techniques, and a specific "Leadership Challenge" where readers complete hands-on tasks to refine their skills. To make the concepts even more engaging and accessible across all age ranges, David also custom-designed an illustrated original character named "Yankee Doodle Dave" to accompany each lesson.

While developing the written content felt natural after years of mentoring, navigating the broader publishing frontier introduced an entirely new set of hurdles. David admits that double-checking extensive historical data and managing the post-writing phases such as editing, formatting, publishing, and marketing were by far the most challenging aspects of the process. Driven by his vision to reach readers across every medium, he even partnered with an outside organization to bring an audiobook edition to life alongside Masthof's print offerings. This labor of love required him to step into a professional recording studio to personally narrate the entire text, ensuring readers could hear his message in his authentic voice.

Despite these initial publishing challenges, David’s dedication to sharing timeless, character-driven principles has resonated powerfully with readers and professional networks alike. His work has already earned major national recognition: The Art of Leadership was officially named a 2026 Award Finalist by the Military Writers Society of America. Supported by a wide array of digital resources including a dedicated website and active social channels, David continues to advocate for servant leadership across civilian industries, demonstrating that true leadership isn't about authority, but about guiding, serving, and pointing the right path forward for others.

David Ocheltree’s journey, shaped by decades of military service and an unyielding commitment to mentorship, is a powerful testament to the value of servant leadership. His book is more than a management manual; it is an inspiring roadmap for anyone seeking to empower others, navigate challenges with integrity, and leave a lasting, positive impact on their organization.

Ready to unlock your team's hidden potential and master the principles of servant leadership?

David’s award-nominated book, The Art of Leadership, is available now through Masthof Press, inviting current and aspiring leaders to step into a practical, 52-week journey of growth, faith, and historical insight.

CONNECT WITH DAVID OCHELTREE

Follow the latest news and events for and connect with David directly:

• Website: The Art of Leadership

• Facebook: The Art of Leadership

• Instagram: YankeeDoodleLeadership

• LinkedIn: David Ocheltree