In this conversation, Shannon Huffman Polson and Tom discuss the importance of service, personal journeys, and the impact of role models. Tom shares his experiences in aviation, his humanitarian efforts, and the ongoing project to honor his fallen classmate, John Connors. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of community, learning, and active participation in democracy. In this conversation, Tom and Shannon explore the themes of community, legacy, purpose, leadership, and success. They discuss the importance of role models and the impact of legacy on individuals and communities. Tom shares insights on finding purpose in both work and life, the transition from military to civilian life, and the significance of being an ally in leadership roles. The conversation culminates in a reflection on defining success beyond monetary achievements, emphasizing the value of service and contribution to others.

Takeaways

• Everybody's journey is different, and we learn from it.

• It takes years to gather wisdom and put it into action.

• The path to our goals is often non-linear.

• Reading physical books enhances retention and comprehension.

• Service can take many forms, not just military.

• Networking is crucial for facilitating humanitarian efforts.

• You can make a difference with your time and talents.

• Democracy requires active participation from everyone.

• Role models are essential for guiding future generations.

• Honoring those who served helps keep their legacy alive. Building a community involves finding and connecting with role models.

• Legacy is what we make of it and should be preserved.

• Purpose can be found in both work and personal life.

• Leadership principles are consistent across military and civilian sectors.

• Transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging but is manageable.

• Service to others is a key aspect of finding purpose.

• Being an ally in leadership is a responsibility and a privilege.

• Success is not defined by monetary gains but by contributions to others.

• Role models can influence us throughout our lives, not just in childhood.

• The journey of life is ongoing, and purpose evolves over time.

Contacts:

https://www.ameasureofaman.org/

This conversation explores the remarkable journey of a woman who transitioned from baton twirling to becoming a combat pilot and military leader. She shares her experiences in the military, the challenges she faced, and the importance of mental resilience and self-trust in high-stakes situations. The discussion also highlights the biases she encountered as a woman in a male-dominated field and how she navigated these challenges to achieve success. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the challenges faced by women in male-dominated fields, emphasizing the importance of excellence, mastery of craft, and mental resilience. They explore the need for psychological performance in leadership and the cultural shifts required to create inclusive environments. The discussion also touches on the recognition of women's contributions in history and the importance of supporting one another in professional spaces. This conversation explores the themes of empowerment, purpose, and resilience, particularly focusing on women's experiences in high-stakes environments. The speakers share personal stories that highlight the importance of role models and the need for women to see themselves in positions of power. They discuss the significance of having a clear purpose in life, especially during transitions, and how aligning one's values with their goals can lead to fulfillment. The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating societal expectations and the importance of embracing hard work and challenges to achieve personal growth.

Sound Bites

"I wanted to do something meaningful."

"Just be a badass."

"Show up and be excellent!"

"Train your body and mind."

"Mental skills are hard skills."

"Naysayers are just challenges."

"Bring your own chair to the table."

"I want young women to know."

"We need the stories to be told."

"Our kids are resilient."

Resources

https://jannellmacaulay.com/

[email protected]

TedTalk: https://www.ted.com/talks/jannell_macaulay_how_to_achieve_high_performance_under_stress

Rolling Stone Article: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/syria-war-chemical-weapons-sarin-1296374/

Ross Wehner shares his journey of discovering and uncovering his purpose through experiences in Chile and teaching. He emphasizes the importance of following intuition and stepping into one's own story. Ross discusses the impact of traumatic events and the role of darkness in shaping purpose. He highlights the influence of philosophy, solitude, and fasting in gaining clarity. Ross also explains the mission of World Leadership School in partnering with K-12 schools to reimagine learning and create next-generation leaders. He advocates for purpose learning and the integration of thinking, feeling, and doing in education.

Takeaways

• Follow your intuition and step into your own story.

• Traumatic events can lead to a deeper understanding of purpose.

• Solitude and fasting can provide clarity and insight.

• Education should focus on purpose learning, integrating thinking, feeling, and doing.

Chapters

• Introduction and Background

• Engagement with Purpose in Chile

• Impact of Traumatic Events

• Stepping into Purpose

• Uncovering Purpose

• Transitioning to Teaching

• Finding Meaning in Teaching and Wilderness Instruction

• Uncovering Purpose with the Help of a Coach

• Living the Story of Purpose

• Influence of Philosophy on Purpose

• Navigating Darkness and Finding Purpose

• Seeking Solitude and Fasting for Clarity

• Purpose Learning and Reimagining Education

• Planting Seeds of Purpose in Education

• Balancing Classical Learning and Purpose

• Recommendations for Discovering Purpose

• Conclusion and Contact Information

Website: https://worldleadershipschool.com/

In this conversation, Melissa Arnot Reid shares her experiences as a mountaineer and the lessons learned from her climbs, particularly on Everest. She discusses the internal struggles faced during high-stakes situations, the importance of team dynamics, and the journey to finding a sense of belonging. The conversation delves into the nature of leadership in perilous environments and the responsibilities that come with guiding others. Melissa emphasizes the significance of consistency, honesty, and understanding individual strengths within a team. In this conversation, Melissa Arnot Reid shares her insights on leadership, personal values, and the challenges faced as a woman in the mountain guiding community. She emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, the evolution of success, and the impact of her nonprofit, the Juniper Fund, which supports families of high-altitude workers. The discussion highlights the significance of love, intent, and personal growth in both leadership and life.

TAKEAWAYS

• Climbing without supplemental oxygen exposes both physical and mental limits.

• The internal voice of doubt can be a source of discomfort that needs to be navigated.

• Team dynamics are crucial; each member brings unique strengths to the table.

• Belonging is a fundamental human need that can drive us to extreme challenges.

• Leadership in climbing involves significant responsibility for others' safety.

• Experiencing discomfort in nature can provide a sense of control over one's life.

• Having someone who believes in you can change your life trajectory.

• Leaders must confront the weight of their decisions and their impact on others.

• Consistency and honesty are essential traits for effective leadership.

• Understanding individual needs within a team enhances trust and collaboration. Leadership is a customized process that requires deep relationships.

• Operating from your values increases your chances of success as a leader.

• Self-reflection is essential for personal growth and leadership development.

• Love and connection are critical components of effective leadership.

• Intent behind actions significantly affects how they are received by others.

• Judging someone's capability based on appearance is misleading.

• Climbing Everest multiple times was necessary for recognition in a male-dominated field.

• Loss can create space for new opportunities and growth.

• You don't need to be perfect to be deserving of love and success.

• The journey of healing and self-acceptance is ongoing and transformative.

TITLES

• Climbing the Heights of Leadership

• The Power of Personal Values in Leadership

• Breaking Barriers: Women in Mountain Guiding

• Redefining Success Beyond Achievements

• The Heart of Leadership: Love and Connection

Get a copy of her book HERE.

WEBSITE

https://www.melissaarnot.com/

Today’s episode with Siri Lindley is an inspiring conversation about overcoming fear, achieving success, and living fearlessly. Siri Lindley is a two-time world champion triathlete, winner of twelve ITU World Cup races, an inspirational, energetic life coach and one of Tony Robbins’ 10 favorite motivational speakers.With an infectious & authentic passion, she empowers audiences to strive for peak performance, and to work through and ultimately conquer the demons of fear and self-doubt. In late 2019, Siri faced her most difficult battle yet when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Despite being given less than a 10% chance of survival at the time of her diagnosis, she was pronounced cancer-free by her doctors in May of 2020. In the episode, Lindley shares her personal journey as a former professional triathlete and coach, and discusses her unique coaching style that emphasizes a holistic approach to training and personal development. Throughout the episode, Polson and Lindley delve into topics such as resilience, mental toughness, and finding joy in the process of pursuing one's goals. Listeners will come away from this episode feeling inspired and empowered to tackle their own challenges and achieve their own goals.

Visit her online here:

Siri Lindley https://siri.siriandbek.com/

Believe Ranch and Rescue: https://www.believeranchandrescue.org/

Siri’s forthcoming book:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/finding-a-way-taking-the-impossible-and-making-it-possible-siri-lindley/19259090?aid=15754&ean=9781637587928&listref=recommended-on-the-grit-factor-podcast

A keynote speaker and writer on partnership, mentorship, diversity, and relationship building, Lisa Gable’s mission is to support the next generation of leaders and organizations that are solving the world’s biggest problems. She is a five-time award-winning Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author and recognized as an innovative global businesswoman who leads with discipline and diplomacy. In addition to her multiple corporate roles, including CEO, Lisa has served US Presidents and Governors, as well as a US Ambassador and UN Delegate.  

Over the course of her career, Lisa has been called to turnaround failing organizations—businesses, teams, nonprofits, political campaigns, and government projects—to solve seemingly intractable problems. She has learned that the key to course-correcting when things go South is applying process engineering—strategically evaluating everything your organization does and how it does it—with authority and humanity. 

Her work has carried her to dozens of conferences and events where she has met with global leaders, spent time with some of the world’s largest manufacturers and their employees and executives, 52 US military installations interviewing over 1,000 military personnel, engaged with local Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Girl Scouts of the USA to better understand the needs of America’s youth, and met with representatives of over 200 nations through her service as a democracy advocate. 

 Watch today and learn some funny stories about working at the white house, and take some time to discuss what she has learned through her hardships.

Read her book

https://bookshop.org/p/books/turnaround-how-to-change-course-when-things-are-going-south-lisa-gable/16180044?ean=9781646870585

As well as visit lisagable.com.

Breda McCague works as a Transformation Professional within the Finance industry working with people from all over the globe. McCague joined the Irish Reserve Defence Forces at the age of 17 and went on to become her unit’s first Female Lieutenant. She has continued in positions of leadership across the Corporate world ever since.

McCague is Co-Founder of Lean-In Ireland and runs events for women and men teaching them how to practice peer mentoring to develop each other’s careers and life journeys. She is an accredited ECR coach in Emotional Intelligence. Breda is on a mission to teach and inspire others on how to understand themselves better. She loves to share her passion through educating others on understanding emotions and decision making so that they can become the best emotionally regulated Leaders across their societies, communities and work environments. Breda was awarded the Women of the Year title in the Women in Finance Ireland Awards for 2021. She plays in a rock band and has 3 children.

Sunita Lyn Williams is an American astronaut and United States Navy officer who formerly held the records for most spacewalks by a woman (seven) and most spacewalk time for a woman (50 hours, 40 minutes). Williams was assigned to the International Space Station as a member of Expedition 14 and Expedition 15. In 2012, she served as a flight engineer on Expedition 32 and then commander of Expedition 33.

In this episode, we talk about her memories of being in space and the feelings that still remain to this day. We also draw a couple parallels to the Covid lockdowns to space travel, and the certain benefits that come with close proximity to others for long periods of time.

Katie Cook is from Severna Park, Maryland, and graduated from W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax, VA in 2004.  She attended the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 2008.  Katie continued her education at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. and graduated with a Masters of Arts in International Security in 2009. In February 2017, Katie reported for duty as the Airfield Operations Company Commander with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina. During her time in the fleet, Katie has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours, including 400 in combat. Her decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, five Air Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various personal and unit awards.  In August 2019, Katie transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserve and currently works as a Senior Director of Operational Excellence for Global Public Sector at Salesforce. Watch now and learn what it takes to thrive in a world you are not comfortable in and learn to make the most out of the situation you're in.

Mentorship comes up again and again any time we run into challenges, but it’s really a critical ingredient for success at all times. Whether it’s veterans transitioning to corporate, someone taking a new position, or planning for future contribution, mentorship plays a key role. The senior leaders I interviewed while researching for The Grit Factor all attribute mentorship in one or usually many kinds to their success.

That’s why I’m so excited to talk with Lisa Fain today. I met Lisa through a women’s business organization several years ago, where we discovered we were both speaking at an event in California, and we’ve stayed connected ever since. Lisa is the CEO of Center for Mentoring Excellence, and an expert in the intersection of cultural competency and mentoring. Her personal and professional goals were met when she realized she wanted to help people mutually learn and grow from one another. In this episode, we discuss the importance of establishing the proper mentoring relationship and the rules that come along with it. (Minute 16:45) As well as some pro tips for goal setting, career advancement, and setting up the perfect workplace.

BOOKS & RESOURCES

Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring

www.centerformentoring.com