The Grit Factor

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/ contact@jannellmacaulay.com   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.

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

Courtney has found success by living her life as a leader. Notable achievements include her nine years of service as a Marine Corps officer, managing a top-notch sales team for Rational Software, earning her law degree at William & Mary, practicing at one of the nation's leading law firms, and creating Lead Star (www.leadstar.us) -- a premier leadership development consulting firm that works globally with leading organizations. She has also served as an elected official and recently spent time living in the UK during which she served as Chief Operating Officer of a rapidly scaling technology company. Beyond Courtney's government and corporate accomplishments, she is a business owner, thought leader, and New York Times best-selling author of Spark, Bet on You, and Leading from the Front. Her success has been recognized throughout her professional career, but most recently she was awarded the National Stevie Award for Best Female Entrepreneur and BusinessWeek profiled her achievements as a leadership expert. A dynamic guest on CNBC, FOX News, and CNN, Courtney's efforts with Lead Star have been noted in publications ranging from Harvard Business Review and Fast Company to The Financial Times. Courtney is married to Patrick Lynch and is the proud mother of three children. She resides in the Washington, DC area. In this podcast we discuss: Courtney's seemingly unusual path to the Marines and her start in her career (7:12) The importance of authenticity and the origins of the theming in Courtney's book (12:37) The social influence that comes with a leadership role and how finance is not the only factor. (19:10) And the correlation between risk-taking and leadership. (32:32) Books: Spark, Bet on You, and Leading from the Front Website: Leadstar.us As we get started, why not hit subscribe to be sure you never miss an episode? And remember to leave a review – it helps others find us!

I'm so grateful for this conversation today with Bishop Gretchen Rehberg, a truly extraordinary person, who happens to be our bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane, a diocese with a massive and politically polarized territory including 38 different congregations. She may also be the bishop with the most unusual background…with her PhD in Chemistry, she taught organic Chemistry at Bucknell University, and served her community as an EMT and firefighter. While at seminary, Gretchen was on the ground for 9-11 and shares her story from that terrible day, and its direct impact on her in the years to follow. I'm grateful for the opportunity to know and learn from Bishop Rehberg over several years. We're going to talk today about leadership of a large and diverse community, what to do about burnout in organizations, and what grit means to her after September 11th. Bishop Rehberg is candid, open and honest, and often funny. She is passionate about proclaiming the inclusive love of God and equipping the people of God for transformation and growth. Christian formation for all ages is of vital importance to Gretchen, and she stresses the need for both rigorous engagement and the need for openness and humility in learning. Website: The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane As we get started, why not hit subscribe to be sure you never miss an episode? And remember to leave a review– it helps others find us!

A number of years ago, Ruchika and I met at the rehearsal for a Seattle Ignite event, and it's been just fantastic to stay connected and watch her trajectory ever since! I'm so grateful to welcome her on to Facing the Wind, shere we talk about diversity and leadership. Ruchika is a passionate advocate and speaker for amplifying the voices of women in the workplace. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Time and Bloomberg, among other publications. Ruchika has most recently been a guest of Brene Brown's and contributed to BigThink. Diversity is key to a company's success and bottom line– and yet women are leaving the workforce in higher numbers than ever before. That's one of many reasons this conversation is so important. In this episode, we'll discuss the difference in personality and behavior that takes place before and after the ego is developed. We also talk about ways society has trained us to rely solely on other's expectations (minute 11), and how to break the mentality. In this episode, we discuss the difference in personality and behavior that takes place before and after the ego is developed. We also talk about ways society has trained us to rely solely on other's expectations (minute 11), and how to break the mentality. As we get started, why not hit subscribe to be sure you never miss an episode? And remember to leave a review– it helps others find us! Books Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work And The Diversity Advantage: Fixing Gender Inequality in the Workplace

Amy Conway-Hatcher is a fierce advocate, lawyer, Board director, warrior career mom, and former federal prosecutor. After decades of managing 24/7 crises, climbing to the upper echelons of Big Law, and sacrificing family for career, Amy did the unthinkable. She left her high-paying equity partner job and an unsustainable climb...to reclaim her life. Amy wrote Infinitely More to shine a spotlight on systemic workplace inequities that hold women back. Through witty and darkly humorous story-telling, Amy challenges leaders to take bolder actions to fix uneven playing fields, while advocating for women to stand firmly in control of their careers. She firmly believes that by sharing our stories, opening our eyes, and being brave enough to have hard conversations, #wecandobetter. Today, a partner in a boutique law firm specializing in complex legal problems, Conway-Hatcher thrives as an advocate, author, speaker, and mom of teens. All proceeds of her book are being donated to organizations that support women and girl leaders of the future. BOOK: Infinitely More We talk about the difficulties in navigating the role as team leader in a male dominated workplace (minute 14) and balancing time between family and business (minute 20). Give yourself the gift of listening in to our conversation— and forward it along to whoever might enjoy or benefit!

This Veteran's Day, we're happy to release this special episode with Tina Morris, a graduate of West Point, veteran of the United States Army's military police corps, and now senior corporate leader. Tina talks about the values and ideas she brought to her twenty year tenure at S&P from her time in uniform. We talk about the difficulties in navigating the role as team leader, like holding those accountable while growing a healthy working relationship (minute 22). Give yourself the gift of listening in to our conversation— and forward it along to whoever might enjoy or benefit!

Amy Melinda McGrath is a retired US Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel raised in Kentucky. McGrath was the first woman to fly a combat mission for the Marine Corps, as well as the first to pilot the F/A-18 on a combat mission. She is also a political candidate from Kentucky, and author. Her book is titled Honor Bound: An American Story of Dreams and Service In this episode, we talk about the overall change in politics over the years, and how the average person is affected though mainstream news and media. We also talk about ways the war has been marketed towards citizens (minute 33), and what the future may hold for democracy. Give yourself the gift of listening in to our conversation— and forward it along to whoever might enjoy or benefit! BOOKS & RESOURCES Honor Bound, by Amy McGrath. https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9780525659105 American SOS Project (link here https://americansos.org) Invisible Storm, Jason Candor. https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9780358658962

Subscribe to be the first to listen!

Merryl Tengesdal is an American retired career military officer and the first and only Black woman to fly the United States Air Force's U-2 spy plane used for specialized high-altitude reconnaissance missions. She is one of five women and three Black people to be in the U-2 program. She shares the plane's nickname, The Dragon Lady. . Tengesdal is a military veteran, aviator, and commander who served in both the US Navy and the US Air Force, as well as on combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. She served as Director of Inspections for The Air Force Inspector General from October 2015 through August 2017, retiring at the rank of United States Air Force Colonel with more than 3400 flight hours and 330 combat hours. . Her memoir is titled Shatter the Sky. . I met Merryl for the first time at an event in which we both participated at the Seattle Museum of Flight, and liked her immediately. She speaks with candor and humor about her experiences and lessons learned, and is passionate about connecting to support the next generation of leaders in and our of the skies.  . Give yourself the gift of listening in to our conversation— and forward it along to whomever might enjoy or benefit! . You're invited to join us for a FREE five part workshop: Sign up Here!     BOOKS & RESOURCES   Shatter the Sky: What going to the stratosphere taught me about self-worth, sacrifice, and discipline by Col Merryl Tengesdal (Ret.)   Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear   The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience, and Leadership in the Most Male-Dominated Organization in the World

Leigh Burgess went from a successful healthcare career to complete burnout during the pandemic, and had to make a change. She talks about how she made the changes she needed to make to thrive in her life and work, and the deep sources of her motivation that have pulled her through the biggest challenges and opportunities in her life and developed a profound sense of purpose.

Just Like You: Mandy Hickson was one of the first women to fly the Tornado in the Royal Air Force, and flew combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. I talk to her about what motivated her as an ambassador today, what she worked through in her time in the RAF, the power and challenge of teams, and what she thought of the new Top Gun! And we laugh a lot. Hope you enjoy!

LtGen Reynolds talks candidly about leading Marines from an unexpected challenge, to combat deployments and finally commanding the newly formed Marine Corps Cyber. Sharing what inspired her from an early age, to what leaders need to do to ensure the best results in today's world, this conversation is one for every leader, but come with a notepad. You won't want to miss, or forget, a thing.

CPT Shaye Haver and CPT Kristen Greist are the two first women to graduate as U.S. Army Rangers and become Infantry Officers. In this conversation, they offer inspiration and practical takeaways for all of us. Though both West Pointers, Haver and Greist came from different backgrounds and motivations. In this interview we talk about what directed them toward the unique opportunity and challenge of Ranger School, what they did to prepare, and how they faced failure and disappointment. This opportunity to hear from both exceptional leaders is not one to miss.

Deidre Paknad is the Co-founder and CEO of Workboard, Inc. She has founded and led three tech startups, acquired companies and been acquired, and led a high-growth business as an executive at IBM for several years. Deidre has over a dozen patents and has twice been inducted into the Smithsonian Institution for innovation. Goldman Sachs named her one of the 100 most intriguing entrepreneurs of 2019. In this episode, Deidre and I talk about how tragedy shaped her life and work, her biggest challenge with grit (it might surprise you), what she learns from sports, and how taking care of your people has been the same and different over the last few years.

Gretchen Evans' 27 year Army career as a Sergeant Major ended with major injuries after a mortar attack in Afghanistan, but despite the deep difficulty in her change of mission, she hasn't slowed down. Join us as she shares her journey through severe injury and losing her purpose, to finding a new purpose in the most unexpected challenge, founding Team Unbroken, an adaptive adventure racing team. She also shares her personal rule for successes or failures, which I'm adopting as well, and which you won't want to miss.

Jenn Donahue is a Ph.D., a civil engineer, a STEM advocate, and served for decades in uniform in the US Navy until she was the most senior woman civil engineer. She has built bridges and roads from Ketchikan to Kabul. Led small teams and large organizations and taught at the university level. From all of these experiences, she comes away with a deep understanding of genuine and authentic leadership and how to get things done, no matter how difficult the task. Join me as I talk to Jen about the hardest lesson she learned in those decades of work and what she'd recommend to any leader starting out or finding themselves stuck.

Adeline Gray is a two time Olympic freestyle wrestler, and a six time world champion, as well as a ferocious advocate for sports equality for women. She shares the mindset of a champion, how she focuses each day for success, and the perspective that gets her through resistance.

Air Force Colonel Kim Campbell has led from her single seat A-10 over Baghdad to a wing command of over a hundred, sharing lessons of the power of preparation, authenticity and making the hard calls.

Admiral Stosz shares stories and lessons from a 40-year career of firsts, from commanding an ice breaker to leading the Coast Guard Academy, and talks about the importance of battle rhythm, diversity, and the necessity of optimism.

The Grit Factor: Re-imagining grit as part of the whole person in a life that matters.