Michal Holliday: United States Air Force

Mike is a 26-year career military officer and colonel in the United States Air Force. He’s been a commander at the squadron and group level. Today, he is chief of engineering overseeing design and construction across the entire Pacific theatre. He’s also a longtime listener of Coaching for Leaders.

In this conversation, Mike and I discuss how his view of leadership has changed over time and how he’s used personal leadership to guide his journey. We highlight how he’s inspired vivid visions in his organization, created team expectations, and embrace a culture of more immediate coaching and feedback.

Key Points

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” -Viktor Frankl

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” -Socrates

Vision statements often end up in a drawer. The vivid vision process taught by Cameron Herold has helped the vision to come alive.

Giving coaching and feedback more immediately is essential for learning and cultivating the right culture. “When I see something, I do something.”

There is a time and place for order-giving. Spending more time coaching, giving feedback, and listening well helps build trust for orders to be followed when that time comes.

Resources Mentioned

Man's Search for Meaning* by Viktor Frankl

Vivid Vision* by Cameron Herold

Radical Candor* by Kim Scott

Related Episodes

How to Create Team Guidelines, with Susan Gerke (episode 192)

The Way to Make New Behaviors Stick, with Marshall Goldsmith (episode 196)

How to Make Deep Work Happen, with Cal Newport (episode 233)

How to Challenge Directly and Care Personally, with Kim Scott (episode 302)

The Power of Solitude, with Mike Erwin (episode 308)

How to Create a Vivid Vision, with Cameron Herold (episode 345)

The Way to Stay Grounded, with Parker Palmer (episode 378)

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