Host: Shannon Huffman Polson

Shannon Huffman Polson is a renowned author and speaker, known for her work on grit and resilience. As the founder of The Grit Institute, she empowers individuals to lead with purpose and determination.

Guest: John Coleman 

John Coleman is the co-CEO of Sovereign's Capital and a Harvard Business Review author. He is a thought leader in purpose-driven leadership, offering insights into how individuals can find meaning in their personal and professional lives.

Summary

In this episode, John Coleman discusses the crisis of purpose in modern life, exploring how individuals can find meaning and fulfillment in their personal and professional lives. He shares insights on leadership, the importance of agency, and the myths surrounding purpose.

Highlights

[00:00:46] Introduction to Purpose

John Coleman introduces the concept of a crisis of purpose and its impact on modern life.

[00:32:58] The Myths of Purpose

Discussion on common misconceptions about purpose and how to overcome them.

[01:05:32] Creating Purpose in Life

Insights into how individuals can craft their own purpose and find fulfillment.

[02:18:34] Purpose in Leadership

 John Coleman shares how purpose-driven leadership can transform workplace culture.

[03:03:38] Purpose and Service

 The role of service in enhancing personal meaning and fulfillment.

Resources

Books by John Coleman: HBR Guide to Crafting Your Purpose - https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9781633699830

Passion and Purpose - https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9781422142424

Miracles - https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9798987316610

The Grit Institute:

Visit thegritinstitute.com for courses and resources on leading with purpose.

Download The Grit Factor Manifesto - https://training.thegritinstitute.com/the-grit-factor-manifesto

Sarah McArthur is an accomplished editor, writer, and leadership thinker. She worked for over two decades alongside renowned executive coach Marshall Goldsmith, serving as managing editor on dozens of leadership books and co-authoring several works. Sarah was also mentored by the late Frances Hesselbein—one of the most influential leadership figures of the 20th century—becoming a close collaborator and friend. Today, Sarah continues to preserve and share Frances’s legacy through writing, editing, and storytelling.

Shannon Huffman Polson is a former Apache helicopter pilot, corporate veteran, keynote speaker, and author of The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience, and Leadership in the Most Male-Dominated Organization in the World. She is the founder of The Grit Institute, where she equips leaders to build resilience, lead with purpose, and navigate challenges with impact.

In this episode of The Grit Factor, Shannon welcomes Sarah McArthur for a heartfelt conversation about the extraordinary life and leadership of Frances Hesselbein, former CEO of the Girl Scouts and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Sarah shares her personal journey as Frances’s mentee, collaborator, and friend, offering stories that illuminate Frances’s unwavering humility, love, and commitment to service. Together, Shannon and Sarah explore what makes Frances’s leadership so timeless and how her lessons can guide today’s leaders through uncertainty, division, and change.

Summary

This episode is both a tribute and a toolkit for values-driven leadership. Listeners will hear:

• Sarah’s path to working with Marshall Goldsmith and later meeting Frances Hesselbein.

• How Frances transformed the Girl Scouts into a thriving, values-centered movement.

• The power of mentorship, storytelling, and consistency of character.

• Lessons on resilience, integrity, and servant leadership that remain urgently relevant.

• How Frances’s legacy continues through Sarah’s work, including books and a documentary film.

• (00:00) Opening reflections on Frances Hesselbein’s passing and the love she inspired.

• (02:51) Sarah’s early work with Marshall Goldsmith and first encounters with Frances’s writings.

• (05:54) The book Work Is Love Made Visible and Frances’s profound influence.

• (10:54) Frances’s vision-driven leadership and transformative years at the Girl Scouts.

• (17:16) The consistency of Frances’s character across 107 years of life.

• (21:42) Lessons from the “cookie incident” and transparency in leadership.

• (25:08) Frances’s “invisible tattoos” and storytelling as a teaching tool.

• (29:33) Sarah’s decision to ask Frances to be her mentor.

• (33:56) Living and learning alongside Frances during her later years.

• (41:34) How Frances commanded respect and credibility across sectors.

• (44:35) Frances’s timeless advice for today: We will get through this together.

• (47:27) Meeting Peter Drucker and forming a lifelong leadership partnership.

• (50:50) Three words to capture Frances’s legacy: humility, love, and service.

• (53:13) “To serve is to live” — Frances’s enduring purpose.

• (54:57) Sarah on carrying forward Frances’s story through a documentary film.

Resources

Website: https://www.sarahmcarthur.com/ https://www.hesselbeinforum.pitt.edu/

Email: [email protected]

Books: Work Is Love Made Visible: https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9781119513582 Hesselbein on Leadership: https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9781118717622 My Life in Leadership: https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9780470905739

Frances Hesselbein “Defining Moments” Documentary: https://youtu.be/ImQ0zQpTJec?si=Lv6u5il5NBKjN50W

Urs Koenig is a leadership coach, keynote speaker, former NATO peacekeeping commander, and ultra-endurance athlete. With an eclectic background spanning UN peacekeeping missions, military command, competitive cycling, academia, and business coaching, Urs brings a rare blend of lived experience and research-backed insight to leadership. His award-winning book, Radical Humility, challenges the outdated “heroic” leadership model and offers a compelling framework for blending high performance with humanity.

In this episode of The Grit Factor, Shannon Huffman Polson talks with Urs Koenig about his journey from the intense world of ultra-endurance sports to leading international peacekeeping missions—and how those experiences shaped his philosophy of “radical humility.” Urs shares how failure in a 3,000-mile race across America became a crucible for growth, why loving people is at the heart of great leadership, and how leaders can be both tough on results and tender on people. They also explore the five shifts in his leadership framework, the importance of self-awareness, and how purpose evolves over time. Urs leaves listeners with practical strategies for managing energy, building agency in teams, and redefining success as being both a badass leader and a good human.

• 00:02:45 – Urs’s unconventional journey from academia to ultra-endurance sports to military command.

• 00:07:20 – The Race Across America failure story and how reframing setbacks fuels growth.

• 00:11:35 – Why leaders must truly love people to be effective.

• 00:15:50 – “Tough on results, tender on people” — balancing high standards with deep care.

• 00:20:12 – The Five Shifts of Radical Humility explained.

• 00:26:40 – Commander's Intent: how clarity of purpose empowers teams.

• 00:33:05 – Managing energy like an elite athlete for sustainable performance.

• 00:37:15 – The confidence vs. competence trap in leadership promotion.

• 00:42:28 – When transparency becomes oversharing—and the concept of being “translucent.”

• 00:48:00 – Lessons from Urs’s father on reinvention and courage.

• 00:53:22 – Redefining success as being both a badass leader and a good human.

00:07:50 – “That DNF was one of the best things that ever happened to me—it taught me how to reframe failure.”

00:11:40 – “You want to be a leader? You have to love people. It’s not about being an extrovert—it’s about caring deeply.”

00:15:55 – “Caring gives you the license to set high standards.”

00:22:10 – The Five Shifts:

1. Digging Deep (Self-awareness & self-leadership)

2. Tough on Results, Tender on People

3. Leading Like a Compass (Commander's Intent)

4. Full Transparency

5. Championing Fearless Culture

00:33:45 – Why managing energy beats managing time.

00:37:20 – “We often promote the loudest person, not the most competent one.”

00:42:40 – Why leaders sometimes need to be “translucent” instead of fully transparent.

00:48:25 – His father’s midlife leap from corporate executive to artisan cheesemaker.

00:53:30 – “Success is being a badass and a good human.”

Book: https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9781637554050 Website: https://www.urskoenig.com/Email: [email protected]Phone: 206.372.8626

Professional Summary

Valeria Aloe is an award-winning author, speaker, and high-performance business coach who founded the Rising Together movement to help professionals unlearn limiting mindsets and build the clarity, confidence, and behaviors needed to reach their next level. Her signature work combines mindset transformation with applied behavior change to accelerate individual and team performance. valeriaaloe.com

Born in Argentina, Valeria was the first in her family to graduate from college. She holds undergraduate degrees in Finance and Business Administration and later pursued graduate studies in the U.S., building a global career across corporate, nonprofit, and startup environments. Her corporate experience spans major organizations including Procter & Gamble, Citibank, Reckitt Benckiser, PwC and TIAA, and she has more than two decades of experience helping leaders and teams perform at scale.

In this deeply moving and insightful episode, Shannon Huffman Polson speaks with Valeria Aloe—author, spiritual scientist, and founder of the Rising Together Movement—about the invisible ancestral mindsets that shape our lives, leadership, and wellbeing. From her childhood in rural Argentina to Ivy League classrooms and corporate America, Valeria shares her powerful journey through burnout, healing, and spiritual awakening. Together, they explore how trauma is inherited, how to reverse internalized limitations, and why true leadership starts with self-awareness and micro-steps. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking to live more fully, lead more authentically, and rise with others—especially first-generation professionals and allies.

• From Rural Argentina to Ivy League: Valeria’s journey from a dusty town to Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business—and how she overcame fear, culture shock, and the pressure of being first-generation.

• The Burnout That Sparked a Movement: What led Valeria to collapse emotionally and physically in 2016, and how that turning point inspired her to reexamine everything she believed about success.

• Unpacking Ancestral Mindsets: How culturally inherited beliefs—about authority, sacrifice, success, and identity—impact professionals, especially in Latino communities, and how to begin healing them.

• From Trauma to Triumph: Why healing inherited trauma is essential, how colonization affects modern mindsets, and the science behind generational pain and potential.

• Mentorship vs. Sponsorship: The key difference—and how to overcome the inner voice that says “Don’t bother them.”

• Spiritual Science in Leadership: Valeria’s journey into spiritual studies and how embracing the identity of a soul having a human experience changed everything.

• Micro-Steps, Major Shifts: Why transformation doesn't require giant leaps—and how simple breathing exercises and mindset shifts can rewire your professional and personal life.

• Building Bridges: How to create unity in a polarized world, celebrate shared humanity, and foster meaningful connections across diverse identities.

• Valeria Aloe’s Book: Unbeatable Latinas

• Rising Together Movement: www.valeriaaloe.com — Valeria's platform for empowering first-generation professionals and allies.

• The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey – Where Valeria led entrepreneurship programs.

• Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth – Where Valeria earned her MBA.

• Studies on Epigenetics – Research on how trauma and resilience are passed across generations.

Host: Shannon Huffman Polson

Guest: Alexander Friedman, CEO & Co‑founder of Novata; former CFO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; former CIO of UBS; ex‑White House Fellow; board member at Franklin Templeton

Episode Summary

Join Shannon as she interviews Alexander Friedman, a leader who has navigated high-stakes roles across the highest levels of philanthropy, finance, government, and now tech. In this episode, Alex shares insights into operationalizing purpose, driving change across complex systems, and forging a career of conviction and curiosity.

This conversation brings together personal grit, lessons from mountaineering and family, and hard-earned wisdom on systems change, all with a clear north star in mind.

[00:04] Meet Alex and get a preview of his storied path

[03:37] How the outdoors serve as spiritual grounding for Alex

[06:58] Learning Alex was a White House Fellow—and protégé of General Krulak

[08:46] A Marines’ boot incident that sparked leadership lessons

[11:29] The Krulak legacy: from WWII to a fourth star in the Oval Office

[16:17] Balancing tradition and transformation in entrenched institutions

[18:27] The limits of logic: why being right doesn’t guarantee change

[21:35] How leaders can wield influence carefully—and not burn it

[22:55] The benefits and questions around the 5% philanthropic payout rule

[25:13] Alex answers: Should foundations give away all assets or exist perpetually?

[25:48] Why the 5% rule may be outdated—and how investment returns challenge it

[26:37] On whether billionaire-backed space ventures serve higher purpose or oligarchy

[28:18] Does purpose come easier in nonprofits vs. for‑profits—and what Alex believes

[29:24] Exploring the distinction—and overlap—between mission and purpose

[31:31] Transcending self to serve something greater: Maslow and Viktor Frankl insights

[33:24] How founding a B Corp, Novata, merges purpose with sustainable business

[36:11] Novata’s model: driving impact measurement for private companies globally

[37:49] Why ESG backlash hasn’t undermined demand—and what persists beneath politics

[39:10] Alex’s confidence in long‑term ESG trends despite short‑term turbulence

[40:08] The importance of overcoming initial inertia—just like Moana crossing the reef

[40:42] Parenting lessons: explaining purpose to a six‑year‑old and why it matters

[41:38] Advice to younger self or child: follow your own compass, not someone else’s shiny things

[44:40] A dynamic “three‑body problem” metaphor for balancing work, family, purpose

[47:02] Alex defines success: Try boldly—even if you fail

[47:55] Why repeated failure builds resilience—and fuels new action

• Novata – Platform Alex co-founded to measure ESG and impact outcomes in private markets

• Jackson Hole Economics – A forum Alex helped launch to shape policy and economic discourse

• Council on Foreign Relations – Alex contributes to global policy thought leadership

• B Corp & Public Benefit Corp structures – the organizational form Alex chose for Novata

• Legacy article on General Victor “Brute” Krulak, with family and presidential story

Book: https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9780578683577\

Website: www.novata.com

General Charles C. Krulak Article: https://www.mca-marines.org/wp-content/uploads/Krulak-Jun-2021.pdf

What does it look like to lead with grit, purpose, and a fierce sense of responsibility—across the battlefield, boardroom, and home?

On this week’s episode of The Grit Factor, I speak with Kiwi phenom Ellen Joan Ford—a former New Zealand Army officer, tech leader, mother, and fierce advocate for Work School Hours. Ellen’s story is one of extraordinary service, from deploying with the U.S. military to evacuating Afghan allies during the fall of Kabul, to now challenging the structural norms that leave working parents (especially mothers) behind.

We talk about: • How military leadership forged her approach to high-stakes decision-making • The incredible story behind her urgent efforts to help Afghan interpreters and their families escape- saving hundreds of lives • Why the current 9-to-5 doesn’t work—and how her #WorkSchoolHours (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/workschoolhours/) movement is gaining momentum • What it means to rebuild your identity after leaving uniform—and how to lead with purpose in the civilian world

This is a conversation about service, reinvention, and building systems that reflect what actually matters.

🎧 Listen in—and let me know: What would change in your world if we really designed work to support families? And would you share, rate and review the podcast? It helps others find it!

#Leadership (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/leadership/) #Grit (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/grit/)  #Veterans (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/veterans/)  #WorkSchoolHours (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/workschoolhours/) #Purpose (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/purpose/) #Afghanistan (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/afghanistan/) #WomenInLeadership (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/womeninleadership/) #TheGritFactor (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/thegritfactor/) @powrsuit (https://www.instagram.com/powrsuit/) @drellenjoanford (https://www.instagram.com/drellenjoanford/) #womeninuniform (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/womeninuniform/) #newzealand (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/newzealand/) #anzac (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/anzac/)

What does it look like to lead with purpose and performance — to stay true to your values while building something that lasts? I so enjoyed talking with fellow @tuckschool alum @Jim_Weber, longtime CEO of @BrooksRunning, for a conversation about leadership, grit, and building a brand rooted in conviction. Jim took the helm at Brooks when the company was on the verge of bankruptcy — and through a relentless focus on purpose, customer obsession, and culture, he helped lead it to become a billion-dollar brand. He did all of this while navigating a personal cancer diagnosis — a chapter that deepened his clarity, his courage, and his belief in the kind of leadership that endures. We also talk about what it’s like to work alongside Warren Buffett with the astonishing story of Brooks and @BerkshireHathawayInc, and the mindset required to lead through uncertainty without losing sight of what matters most. If you’re a leader looking for clarity, or someone in a season of challenge, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss. #running

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jim-weber-3b996b8 Website: http://www.jimweber.org/Keppler: https://www.kepplerspeakers.com/speakers/jim-weber Book: tinyurl.com/runpurpose

In this conversation, Killian Noe discusses her journey through leadership, resilience, and community work, emphasizing the importance of personal growth, accountability, and the power of forgiveness. She reflects on her upbringing, experiences in diverse communities, and the founding of Recovery Cafe, highlighting the significance of beauty in healing and the need for loving accountability in organizations. The dialogue explores the balance between control and surrender in leadership, the role of community in personal transformation, and practical steps for engaging in social change.

Takeaways

• The importance of community in personal growth and transformation.

• Experiences of joy can be found in diverse communities.

• Loving accountability is essential for personal and organizational success.

• Forgiveness is a powerful tool for healing and personal responsibility.

• Beauty plays a significant role in the healing process.

• We must connect with the real needs in the world to find purpose.

• Success is defined by the journey towards freedom from barriers to love.

• Transcending self-actualization leads to deeper fulfillment.

• Leadership requires active listening and transparency.

• Navigating control and surrender is a daily practice in leadership.

Contacts:

Website : https://recoverycafe.org/

Email: [email protected]

Tedx Talks:  https://youtu.be/E32xsoDsAhw

In this conversation, Shannon Huffman Polson and Dave discuss the importance of purpose and values in leadership and entrepreneurship. Dave shares his early career experiences at Hewlett Packard, the challenges he faced while founding Good Technology, and the profound impact of Joseph Campbell's hero's journey on his perspective. He introduces the concept of evergreen companies, which prioritize long-term sustainability over rapid growth, and outlines the seven P's that define these companies. The discussion emphasizes the need for a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who share these values and principles. In this conversation, Dave discusses the importance of partnerships, particularly his relationship with Jessica Herron, and how it shaped his understanding of building evergreen companies. He emphasizes the need for a deliberate approach to innovation and growth, focusing on sustainability rather than quick profits. The discussion also highlights the significance of aligning personal purpose with professional goals, especially in the context of employee engagement and satisfaction. Dave envisions a future where a new generation of entrepreneurs can redefine business success by prioritizing purpose and creativity over traditional funding models.

Takeaways

• Purpose and values are crucial for effective leadership.

• Early experiences shape our understanding of corporate culture.

• Personal challenges can impact professional journeys.

• The hero's journey offers valuable insights for business leaders.

• Evergreen companies focus on long-term sustainability.

• Community support is vital for like-minded entrepreneurs.

• The seven P's provide a framework for building lasting companies.

• Introverts often have a strong internal compass for their goals.

• Rewiring our thinking is necessary for new business models.

• Hidden evergreen companies exist and need recognition. Partnerships can significantly influence business development.

• Evergreen companies prioritize long-term sustainability over quick profits.

• Innovation requires a deliberate approach to risk management.

• Personal purpose alignment is crucial for employee satisfaction.

• Companies should measure personal purpose during recruitment.

• Growth rates impact the capacity for reflection and development.

• Evergreen companies can thrive without external capital.

• The true purpose of many companies may differ from their stated mission.

• Investors often prioritize financial returns over authentic company purpose.

• A new generation of entrepreneurs can redefine business success.

Contact Details Website: https://www.tugboatinstitute.com

Book https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9798892791137

In this conversation, Dr. Eileen Bjorkman shares her remarkable journey in aviation, highlighting the evolution of women's roles in the military and her personal experiences as a flight test engineer. She discusses her family's aviation legacy, the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, and the leadership lessons she learned throughout her career. Dr. Bjorkman's insights provide a unique perspective on resilience, communication, and the importance of representation in STEM fields. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the themes of leadership, storytelling, and the evolution of women in aviation. They discuss the importance of collaboration in leadership, the journey of writing and preserving untold stories, particularly those of women in aviation and veterans. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by women in the aviation industry and the need for a supportive culture that embraces diversity. Ultimately, the speakers reflect on the definition of success, emphasizing passion and purpose over monetary gain.

Takeaways

• Women couldn't fly combat aircraft at that time.

• Dr. Bjorkman was the sixth woman to graduate from the Air Force Test Pilot School.

• She logged over 700 hours in 25 military aircraft.

• Her book, Fly Girls Revolt, uncovers women's struggles in aviation.

• She transitioned from computer science to aviation after feeling unfulfilled.

• Dr. Bjorkman faced challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field.

• She emphasizes the importance of communication in leadership.

• Most people just want to be listened to by their leaders.

• Her experiences highlight the need for representation in STEM.

• She believes in a collaborative leadership style. Taking a collaborative approach in leadership fosters inclusivity.

• Respecting everyone's input leads to better decision-making.

• Writing is a powerful tool for preserving untold stories.

• Women in aviation have made significant contributions that need recognition.

• The history of women in the military is often overlooked.

• Documenting veterans' stories is crucial for preserving history.

• The culture in aviation remains male-centric, impacting women's participation.

• Childcare support is essential for women in the workforce.

• Success is defined by passion and purpose, not just money.

• We must advocate for veterans and their stories.

Resources:

Website: https://eileenbjorkman.com/

Follow her on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AviationHistGal X: https://twitter.com/AviationHistGal Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16650358.Eileen_A_Bjorkman Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Eileen-A.-Bjorkman/e/B01MZ8ZRTA

Get your copy of: The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience, and Leadership in the Most Male-Dominated Organization in the World http://amzn.to/2RQTDjB

***

Listen in to Facing the Wind podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facing-the-wind/id1611668766

*** 

FREE The Grit Factor manifesto for your download! https://www.thegritinstitute.com/manifesto

 ***

Have a question? Leave me a voicemail! https://www.speakpipe.com/TheGritFactor

***

Join me on Social:

Twitter @aborderlife  Instagram @shannonhpolson LinkedIn @shannonhpolson Facebook @shannonhuffmanpolson and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and newsletter for tactical tips and conversations