Podcast appearances and mentions of kim kc campbell

Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost theSignal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices -------------An iconic line from the award-winning drama, “The West Wing” perfectly describes this week's guest on the Disaster Tough Podcast.“This is a time for American heroes.  We will do what is hard.  We will achieve what is great.  This is a time for American heroes and we reach for the stars.”As a retired Colonel in the US Air Force,  Kim “KC” Campbell flew 1,800+ hours and 100+ combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan during 24 years of service as a fighter pilot and senior military leader.Her efforts earned her the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism in 2003 after recovering her battle-damaged A-10 Warthog aircraft during an intense support mission.Since retiring from the Air Force, Colonel Campbell has focused on family life and helping build future leaders as an author and keynote speaker. Her best-selling book, "Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage" shares vital lessons for organizations about leadership and decision-making.In this episode, she shares some of the insights from the book along with other leadership and service lessons learned during her time in the military and beyond.Colonel Campbell's book can be found online at https://kim-kc-campbell.com/book/ and other websites and stores where books are sold.------------------*Major Endorsements:L3Harris's BeOn PPT App.Learn more about this amazing product here: https://www.l3harris.com/ Impulse: Bleeding Control Kits by Professionals for Professionals: https://www.dobermanemg.com/impulseEmergency Management for Dynamic Populations (DyPop):Hot Mess Express: An emergency management leadership course focusing on response tactics during terrorist attacks. Hot Mess Express includes an immersive exercise during an intentional train derailment scenario. Register for DyPop here:https://www.thereadinesslab.com/shop/p/dynamicDoberman Emergency Management Group provides subject matter experts in planning and training: www.dobermanemg.com

Kim "KC" Campbell, a former A-10 fighter pilot, shares her experiences and challenges as a female pilot in the Air Force. She discusses how she received her call sign, the unique camaraderie among A-10 pilots, and the physical demands of flying the aircraft. Kim also recounts her harrowing experience of being hit by enemy fire during a mission in Iraq and the difficult decision she had to make to land the damaged aircraft. Despite the challenges, Kim's determination and training allowed her to safely return home. Kim "KC" Campbell shares her experience of flying a damaged A-10 aircraft back to safety after being hit by a surface-to-air missile in Iraq. She talks about the challenges she faced during the flight, including loss of hydraulic systems and control, and the fear she felt throughout the ordeal. Despite the difficulties, she remained calm and confident, relying on her training and the support of her team. The aircraft sustained over 600 holes of damage but managed to make a successful landing. Show Links Get 1-month of FREE access to the ⁠Vet Collective Community⁠ by using discount code: NLT1UQTI Join us here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.collective.vet⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.collective.vet⁠⁠⁠ Episodes also available on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon Music. https://linktr.ee/harder_not_smarter KC's Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-kc-campbell/ https://kim-kc-campbell.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Call Signs 03:54 Becoming an A-10 Pilot 05:05 Challenges as a Female Pilot 15:31 A Harrowing Experience in Iraq 28:39 Landing the Damaged Aircraft: Overcoming Fear and Doubt 40:22 The A-10's Resilience: Built to Take Hits 46:56 Transitioning from the Military: Finding Purpose and Passion 50:39 Sharing Stories and Lessons: Inspiring Others on Their Journeys 54:02 Putting in the Work: Overcoming Fear and Doing Hard Things Takeaways The call sign for A-10 fighter pilots is a rite of passage and often has a hidden meaning or acronym associated with it. The camaraderie among A-10 pilots is strong, and they have unique traditions and celebrations within their squadrons. Being a female pilot in a male-dominated field comes with challenges, but Kim Campbell proved herself through her skills and performance in the aircraft. Kim's experience of being hit by enemy fire in Iraq and making the decision to land a heavily damaged aircraft showcases her bravery and determination. Training and preparation are crucial for pilots to handle emergency situations and make split-second decisions. The physical demands of flying an A-10 include experiencing high G-forces and the need to stay hydrated and in good physical shape. Kim's story highlights the importance of teamwork and having a reliable wingman in challenging situations. The A-10's mission of supporting troops on the ground is a driving force for pilots like Kim, who find purpose in their work. Facing fear and taking action in difficult situations is crucial. Training and preparation are essential for handling challenging circumstances. Having a supportive team can make a significant difference in overcoming obstacles. Even in the face of damage and adversity, it is possible to achieve success.

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we're taking a look back at one of our favorite episodes. Join us as we delve into some leadership lessons with former fighter pilot turned keynote speaker and best-selling author, Kim "KC" Campbell. Discover how you can build trust within your team and lead with courage in times of uncertainty and adversity.   Kim served in the United States Air Force for 24 years as a fighter pilot and a senior military leader. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. As a senior military leader, Kim has led hundreds of airmen both at home and abroad in deployed locations, enabling them to succeed in their missions.  She takes this experience and inspires so many more in corporate spaces to lead with that passion for leadership. She feels strongly that leaders earn trust by leading with courage and connecting with their teams.   Key Discussion Points: 02:59 Do It Scared: Fear is not a negative thing. It is a normal reaction to a stressful circumstance. It's what you do in the face of fear that matters. 10:21 Preparing for Change: Trust doesn't happen overnight. As we are facing so many uncertainties right now, it is important to build trust within your team early. 17:48 Building Trust: As a new leader, you can build trust through active listening, seeking input, and showing vulnerability. 22:59 Wingman Culture: We do not succeed on our own, we succeed by working together as a team. Does everyone on your team understand the role that they play and how that role is critical for shared success? 26:36 Setting Yourself Up for Success as a Leader: The leadership role can be lonely. It's important to have some sort of support, whether that is a mentor, coach, or a trusted member of your team. 30:51 Navigating Failing Forward as an ‘Only': Everyone makes mistakes, what matters is how you respond to the mistakes you have made. What is your mistake mindset? 40:10 Leading With Courage: If you want to thrive in whatever environment you are in, it comes down to leading with courage and persevering through hard times.   In Summary: Kim "KC" Campbell challenges us to lead with courage, to deliver imperfect action, and to go on and thrive in every single space we occupy. She urges us, as leaders, to create teams built on trust.   Resources from this episode: Follow Kim on Linkedin or check out her website. Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage by Kim Campbell   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

On this episode of Grow Yourself, Kevin sits down with USAF retired Col. Kim "KC" Campbell, author of "Flying in the Face of Fear." Kim tells the harrowing story of her first combat experience, where she had to safely land her battle-damaged jet during a mission over Baghdad. Kim talks about this period of growth in her life, along with the roles she played as a wife, mother, and senior commander. She also talks about her experience leaving the military and adjusting to life outside, as well as the process she went through to rediscover her sense of purpose and new mission. Referencing her decades of leadership experience, she explains the importance of preparation, practice, and backup plans in leading—all while driving home the point that fear, all too often, must be overcome if you want to be successful. Her main point is the importance of always learning and growing, and how humility, approachability, and credibility are all components of effective leadership. In an inspiring TED Talk, Kim reflects on her career and speaks openly about the need for great courage and integrity, particularly relevant for women in leadership. Kim now focuses on leadership development and executive coaching, helping others navigate the world of leadership. Her words for future leaders are: work hard, expect challenges, and find the courage to act despite fear. With her stories and habits, anyone who wants to learn how to grow personally and professionally has a strong mentor.

Today's episode pulls together a few different important topics, from performing cognitively in crisis situations to how we develop character and leadership in the military. We also discuss the impact of human performance programs among pilots. But mostly this episode is a story of how a pilot handled being hit by an anti-aircraft missile and the lessons learned she walked away with after surviving. Kim “KC” Campbell is a retired Colonel who served in the Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission. You'll hear plenty about that story in the episode, but let's just say she has a proven ability to perform in a crisis. Kim knew she wanted to fly from a young age, making her first solo flight in a civilian aircraft over San Jose at age 17. She went to the United States Air Force Academy where she was the cadet wing commander (the highest position a USAFA cadet can achieve), as was her father during his time as a cadet; the first time that a father and daughter both served as cadet wing commander. She holds a degree in International Security Studies from the University of Reading, and a Master of Business Administration from Imperial College London, which she undertook while on a Marshall Scholarship. Her final assignment on active duty was back at the United States Air Force Academy as the Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development. Learn more about Kim or schedule her as a speaker on her website. She also wrote a book diving deeper on much of what we discussed here. If you've never heard the SR-71 Blackbird "ground speed check" story, then check it out here.

Kim "KC" Campbell is a retired Air Force Colonel who served in the Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. Her final assignment was as the Director of the Center for Character and Development at the United States Air Force Academy. As a senior military leader, Kim led thousands of airmen both at home and abroad in deployed locations and enabled them to succeed in their missions. She has experience leading complex organizations and driving cultural change. Kim has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission. Since retiring from the Air Force, Kim has shared her inspirational story and lessons on leading with courage with business and corporate audiences as an executive coach and keynote speaker. Kim's new book, Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage, is now available. Connect and learn more at www.Kim-KC-Campbell.com #leducentertainment #spaghettionthewall #podcast

Agradece a este podcast tantas horas de entretenimiento y disfruta de episodios exclusivos como éste. ¡Apóyale en iVoox! Todavía por poco tiempo en servicio, el A-10 Warthog era el especialista en ataque a vehículos de la USAF. Hoy entrevistamos a Kim "KC" Campbell, pilota de A-10 veterana desde la Guerra del Golfo, que nos explica su experiencia tanto en las misiones reales como en las de entrenamiento. Con María Vázquez y Julio Caronte. 🔗 Enlaces para Listas de Episodios Exclusivos para 💥 FANS 👉 CB FANS 💥 https://bit.ly/CBPListCBFans 👉 Histórico 📂 FANS Antes de la 2GM https://bit.ly/CBPListHis1 👉 Histórico 📂 FANS 2ª Guerra Mundial https://bit.ly/CBPListHis2 👉 Histórico 📂 FANS Guerra Fría https://bit.ly/CBPListHis3 👉 Histórico 📂 FANS Después de la G Fría https://bit.ly/CBPListHis4 Casus Belli Podcast pertenece a 🏭 Factoría Casus Belli. Casus Belli Podcast forma parte de 📀 Ivoox Originals. 📚 Zeppelin Books zeppelinbooks.com es un sello editorial de la 🏭 Factoría Casus Belli. Estamos en: 👉 https://podcastcasusbelli.com 👉 X/Twitter https://twitter.com/CasusBelliPod 👉 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CasusBelliPodcast 👉 Instagram estamos https://www.instagram.com/casusbellipodcast 👉 Telegram Canal https://t.me/casusbellipodcast 👉 Telegram Grupo de Chat https://t.me/casusbellipod 📺 YouTube https://bit.ly/casusbelliyoutube 👉 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@casusbelli10 👨💻Nuestro chat del canal es https://t.me/casusbellipod ⚛️ El logotipo de Casus Belli Podcasdt y el resto de la Factoría Casus Belli están diseñados por Publicidad Fabián publicidadfabian@yahoo.es 🎵 La música incluida en el programa es Ready for the war de Marc Corominas Pujadó bajo licencia CC. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/ El resto de música es bajo licencia privada de Epidemic Music, Jamendo Music o SGAE SGAE RRDD/4/1074/1012 de Ivoox. 🖼 La miniatura es un detalle de una obra de Nigel Bangert. 📧¿Queréis contarnos algo? También puedes escribirnos a casus.belli.pod@gmail.com ¿Quieres anunciarte en este podcast, patrocinar un episodio o una serie? Hazlo a través de 👉 https://www.advoices.com/casus-belli-podcast-historia Si te ha gustado, y crees que nos lo merecemos, nos sirve mucho que nos des un like, ya que nos da mucha visibilidad. Muchas gracias por escucharnos, y hasta la próxima. Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

A-10 Warthog pilot and combat veteran, Col. (Ret.) Kim “KC” Campbell '97, recounts an incident over Baghdad leading her to make a decision that changed her life then and informs how she leads to this day. ----more---- SUMMARY Kim shares her leadership journey, from overcoming resistance to pursuing her dreams to describing the life changing effect one very long hour had in the cockpit of her A-10. She emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and professional development throughout one's career. She discusses the challenges of balancing life and leading, and the lessons she learned from failures and pushing outside her comfort zone. She shares the importance of having a wingman who supports you in both personal and professional aspects of life.   OUR FAVORITE QUOTES "Any leader that isn't working to be better and trying to develop themselves along the way, is probably going to hit an endpoint at some point. We have to constantly learn to improve and adapt and it requires work. Leadership requires work." "When I started out, I had this idea that leadership was like, put on this tough exterior, have the answers, be strong and credible and capable.” "I absolutely think leadership requires work. It's not easy. There are challenges, there are things to learn, things to adapt. It's just constantly one of those things that professional development, for me is something that should continue throughout your career throughout your life, always looking for new ways." "I think one of the things that really sticks out to me that we learned as cadets is the idea of having a wingman by your side personally, professionally. Someone that will have your back someone that will support you." "If you want something, you're going to have to work for it. And it's not going to be easy."  - Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell '97   SHARE THIS EPISODE FACEBOOK  |  LINKEDIN  |  TWITTER  |  EMAIL   CHAPTERS 00:00:  Continuous Improvement and Professional Development 03:52:  Overcoming Resistance and Pursuing Dreams 06:36:  Lessons from Running Cross-Country 08:58:  Persistence and Overcoming Rejection 13:02:  Leadership Journey at the Air Force Academy 15:17:  Finding Passion and Purpose in the A-10 16:14:  Life-Changing Moment in Baghdad 19:51:  Lessons and Vulnerability in Writing a Book 22:09:  Balancing Life and Leadership 26:14:  Leadership Development and Growth 28:37:  Authenticity and Human Connection in Leadership 32:16:  Family's Influence on Leadership 36:58:  Learning from Failure and Pushing Outside Comfort Zone 41:11:  Building Human Connections and Getting to Know People 42:34:  The Importance of Having a Wingman 43:31:  The Importance of Having a Wingman 43:59:  How to Get in Touch 44:30:  Connect with Kim 44:55:  Feedback and Connection 45:26:  The Story Behind the Call Sign 45:54:  Book Title and Conclusion   OUR FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS  - Leadership requires continuous improvement and professional development.  - Overcoming resistance and pursuing dreams are essential in leadership.  - Balancing life and leadership is a challenge that requires flexibility and grace.  - Building human connections and having a wingman for support are crucial in leadership.   KIM'S BIO Kim “KC” Campbell is a retired Colonel who served in the Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission. As a senior military leader, Kim has led hundreds of Airmen both at home and abroad in deployed locations and enabled them to succeed in their missions. She has experience leading complex organizations and driving cultural change. Kim knows what it takes to be a successful leader, to inspire and empower high performance teams to achieve success. Kim is passionate about leadership and feels strongly that leaders earn trust by leading with courage and connecting with their team. - Bio copy and image credit:  www.kim-kc-campbell-com CONNECT WITH KIM  |  LEARN MORE  |   BUY FLYING IN THE FACE OF FEAR   ABOUT LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP Long Blue Leadership drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Spotify and all your favorite podcast platforms. Search @AirForceGrads on your favorite social channels for Long Blue Leadership news and updates!   FULL TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS Our guest, Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell, '97  |  Our host, Naviere Walkewicz '99 Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  00:11 Any leader that isn't working to be better and trying to develop themselves along the way, is probably going to hit an endpoint at some point. We have to constantly learn to improve and adapt and it requires work. Leadership requires work. It's, you know — it's not easy. There are challenges; there are things to learn. Professional development should continue throughout your career, throughout your life, always looking for new ways. Naviere Walkewicz  01:07 My guest today is retired Col. Kim Casey Campbell, a 1997 graduate of the Air Force Academy, a warrior whose career included supporting warfighters on the ground from the cockpit of an A-10 Warthog, where she earned the callsign “Killer Chick.” She's a mom, wife of a retired Air Force colonel and published author. She's a motivational speaker on the topic of leadership. That includes the story of a moment where, if she hadn't also learned to be a good follower, she might not be with us today — as in, not alive. Col. Campbell's path to the Air Force Academy was one of overcoming resistance; she won the first fight of her life to join the wing, then she went on to lead it. We'll talk with her about her book, “Flying in the Face of Fear,” her time at the Academy, and much more. Kim, thank you for being here today. Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  01:54 Thanks so much for having me. I appreciate it. Naviere Walkewicz  01:56 It's always a pleasure speaking to someone that — we were at the Academy the same time. I was, '99. You're my upper classmen? You probably had me do pushups or something? And you recently came back for your reunion? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  02:11 Well, now that I live in Colorado, it's always, you know — I get to spend a lot of time at the Air Force Academy. But it is always so good to see my classmates. And I think it's so much fun, because you kind of forget anything that was bad. And the memories are things that you might want to forget. And it's just, I don't know, fun to bring everybody back together again and see everyone and see what people have accomplished. And you know, their personal life and professional life. It's just a lot of fun. Naviere Walkewicz  02:36 I love that. I find that, you know, things stayed the same, but they're different. What was something that really stood out to you that you thought was a kind of a span that that space of time, it really didn't get touched? What was something that stood out? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  02:48 I don't know. I mean, having taught at the Air Force Academy as well, I find that, like, the drive to serve. And I just — it's fun to see, like, where the cadets are now and their excitement to serve and to graduate and go out and be lieutenants in the Air Force and Space Force. So that's definitely something new. But that drive that we all had — it's kind of a reminder of where we were back then and that excitement that we felt for what's to come. And it's fun to see that [in] my cadets today, too. Naviere Walkewicz  03:15 I agree, I have the pleasure of being able to come back through work and see some of those cadets, and I'm always blown away at what they're able to accomplish now, much more I think, than what we did when we were here. Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  03:25 I love the opportunity to mentor cadets when I get the chance and, you know, just the amazing things that they have in front of them — challenges and opportunities — but really excited for them about what's ahead. Naviere Walkewicz  03:39 Yes. So, speaking about cadets, let's kind of dial back the time a little bit. Our listeners want to get to know you better. Let's go back in time for you. What were you like as a young girl? What was your childhood like? Where'd you grow up? Things like that. Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  03:54 Well, I grew up in San Jose, California. My dad was an Air Force Academy grad class of 1970. I had zero desire to go to the Air Force Academy or to join the military until 1986. And it was not “Top Gun.” But it was actually the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger. And I think, for me, there was just something in that moment of, you know — obviously the thrill and excitement of flight, but then watching the tragedy that played out. I think there was something in that moment that I just connected with in terms of, like, this idea that the astronauts died doing something that they believed in, something that was bigger and more important than themselves. And that was a turning point for me. I mean, I think before that, I probably wasn't all that driven, didn't really have anything that I was going after, kind of along for the ride in school. But once I decided that that's what I wanted to do — I wanted to be an astronaut — it flipped a switch. I mean, I just became very driven, very committed. I talked to my parents about it. And my dad said, “Well, a lot of those astronauts were pilots and many of them had gone to the Air Force Academy. It might be something you would consider.”  I don't think he actually thought I would go through with it. And I think it, for me — that was a huge turning point. I think my life changed dramatically from kind of the young social butterfly, not a lot of interest, along for the ride… and then really committed and driven... Naviere Walkewicz  05:20 So what did that look like when you said it changed dramatically? What did you do differently from that point? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  05:25 Well, I talked to my dad about the things that I needed to do to get into the Air Force Academy. And I became very committed. In school, … I was already involved with sports, but now it was like, how to be the best at what I was doing and being more involved in just various extracurricular activities. And then I joined the Civil Air Patrol. And that was my first opportunity to wear an Air Force uniform and start learning about this thing called leadership. And I really figured out that I enjoyed it. I love the attention to detail, the sense of camaraderie. And so that, for me — it was like this turning point. I kind of just took a different path. And even my friends were, you know — they watched me completely change and shift the things that I was interested in doing. Naviere Walkewicz  06:08 That's really interesting, because it was one moment in time that really changed your trajectory quite a bit. Absolutely. Not to jump to your book yet, but there was a story in there that really stood out to me, and it kind of is probably along the timeframe when you made some changes in your decisions. But it was when you're running cross country. And you talked a little bit about how you handled a particular situation. Do you mind sharing that? I just think that's a great story to talk about how driven you were? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  06:37 Yeah, I ran cross country. I knew it would be good for me to go to the Air Force Academy. Again, everything I did, there was, like, some motivation to, you know, how I can prepare myself to be at the Air Force Academy. I also love to run so I was running cross country — it was, I think, the district finals and a cross country race. You know, we're all jammed in at the front before the gun sounds. And then, you know, it's the sprint to try to get out in front. And during this race, all packed in, a runner accidentally stepped on the back of my shoe and it came off and there was, like, this second of hesitation of, like, “Well, should I stop? Should I put on the shoe? What do I do?” And I just thought, “Well, then I'm going to be at the back. How am I going to get up to the front?” So I decided to keep running, you know, which, at the time, I didn't really consider all the consequences. But I kept running. I ran, I think it was about 2 miles — I raced through the hills, initially pavement and then hills in San Jose, California. And it was so funny, because my coach had seen the shoe laying in the parking lot. All the coaches are kind of standing around looking at each other. … And she's like, “Oh, I know, that's Kim's shoe.” Like, she just knew. And I ended up finishing the race. ... It wasn't my best performance — without the shoe — and it was pretty painful by the end. But I think more than anything, that moment for my dad sealed in this idea of like, “Maybe she does have what it takes.” Like, "Maybe she does have the mental toughness,” because I think there was a part of him that wasn't really sure that I was gonna go through with it, that I would be able to handle the stress and the challenges. And I think that one moment for him was like, “All right, she's got something…, she's got it.” So, it was a turning point, although it did earn me a pair of crutches and a trip to the emergency room. Yeah. So, you know, consequences. I learned those as well. Naviere Walkewicz  08:35 I think that is a great story. It was one of the moments in the book where I just felt really connected to you. I thought, “Wow, that is truly showing grit and perseverance. And I have something I'm going to do.” And so, it leads into a lot of, I think, where you've had in your career, I've had some moments like that. Yeah. So maybe we can dive a little bit into your journey to the Air Force Academy. Because, as I mentioned in the introduction, you didn't get accepted the first time; there was some resistance. Let's talk about that. Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  09:04 Yeah, you know, you do everything possible to go to the Academy. I mean, I worked hard in school, I did these extracurricular activities. Let's just say my [Law School Admission Test] scores weren't spectacular. And I knew that, but I was hoping that everything else would kind of make up for it. And I just kept trying on my LSAT. I took it five times [and got] the same score five times even after taking a course, and so that was an area of struggle. And in April of my senior year, I got that letter in the mail and I was really excited because it was the blue letterhead and it said AF on it. I should have known because it was a small letter and it said, you know, “Thanks for applying, but it's very competitive and essentially, try again next year.” And I was devastated. Devastated because that's all I wanted; it was all I had worked for. It was, for me — I really didn't want to go anywhere else. My parents made me apply to other schools but I didn't ­— it wasn't what I wanted. And, you know, thankfully, I had this team of people around me that were supportive, between my parents and my teachers, my liaison officer — my liaison officer who was my dad's classmate from the Academy class of '70. He said, “You know, Kim, if this is what you want, don't quit. Go after it, you know, keep working hard, we'll get you there.” You know, it was like, it didn't mean this year. But I think he was just trying to, you know, give me the pep talk of like, “You can still do this, don't quit on it.” And he said, “You might consider writing the Academy a letter.” And I was like, oh, you know, this is the day of handwritten letters. And instead of one letter, I decided I would write the Academy, the admissions office, every week, to tell them anything I had done to improve. You know, an A on a test, 10 more push-ups, a few more pull ups. And then, eventually, I took the ACT and got a better score, got a competitive score, and finally got my acceptance letter in June, so like, you know, the first part of June before reporting and it said, you know, “We, we will accept you as part of the class of 1997.” And, you know, there was no doubt in my mind, I mean, I had other plans, I was going on an ROTC scholarship to [the University of California at  ] San Diego. And immediately, when I got that letter, I knew that my path was going to change because I obviously — that was what I wanted. But yeah, the rejection hurt, certainly. But I think it also gave me motivation. Naviere Walkewicz  11:21 I was going to say, it seemed like you learned something about yourself. You know, a lot of our listeners are looking for, you know, when they're listening, it's not always the highs that get people to the next level. Sometimes, working through some of those trials and tribulation — what's something you learned about yourself in that in that moment? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  11:36 Well, it's funny, I mean, like you say, sometimes the things that aren't on our bio or résumé, are the things that make us really stronger and who we are. And that rejection was a little bit of a turning point for me, because I think about, you know, I could have quit, I could have quit on my dream. But again, that support network that was around me, that encouraged me to just go after it. And I kind of used that rejection as almost motivation to make sure I didn't just survive at the Academy, but to excel. Like, I was almost like, I needed to prove that I belonged here. Even after, the admissions office called me to the office — after I had gone through basic training — and they wanted to meet me because they had seen all these letters. But it is it is a little bit of like, if you want something, you gotta go after it. It's not always going to be easy; there's going to be challenges. And if you know, if it's truly what you want, then you've got to stick with it. And despite, you know, a little bit of painful rejection along the way. Naviere Walkewicz  12:35 You've shown what, you know, going for something that's really important to you looks like, and I think there's something to be taken from that for our listeners, for sure. So, from almost not getting into the Academy to being the wing commander, the cadet wing commander — share a little bit about that journey, because not many of us experience that either. Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  12:52 Yeah, well, it goes back to a little bit of proving that I belonged here. You know, I think for me … maybe because of my parents, you know, they instilled in me this idea that if you want to fix something or if you want to make a mark on something, then you have to kind of step up. And I just realized that I really enjoyed the leadership roles that I had, whether it was team captain of sports, or once I joined the Civil Air Patrol, I kind of felt this natural pull to be a leader in those organizations. And so, when I got to the Academy, I just kind of felt like, well, this is a path that I have enjoyed in the past, why not give it a shot and go for it? My dad had been the wing commander when he was here as a cadet. And so yeah, there is a legacy. And I just, you know, I learned so much from my parents and this idea of really like stepping up. And if you want to do something, if you want to make a difference, especially if you're going to complain about it, then do something about it. And so, I just I really enjoy the leadership roles. I like the idea of being able to make a difference. I certainly learned a lot along the way. I had role models and mentors here at the Academy that, you know, helped me to kind of evolve and adapt my leadership style while I was here, but I really enjoyed it. I really think it set me on a path of, you know, learning something early in what is a leadership laboratory, you know, learning, not always getting it right. But it kind of set me up for leadership lessons and leadership later in my career as well. Naviere Walkewicz  14:24 Those are all really fantastic examples of, you know — I think how that evolved and what you learned about yourself in leadership. Would you say that your dream changed to be an astronaut to become an A-10 pilot? Because it was, you know, that was your path? What did that look like when you knew that you weren't going to try to become an astronaut or you were, you know, really inspired by the A-10? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  14:46 You know, it's interesting because I think we set goals for ourselves. We had these dreams and then sometimes our priorities change over time and letting go of that dream was a little bit hard. If I'm honest, I would still love to do it. I would still love to be an astronaut someday and, you know, there's still a chance. But I found that once I went on to fly the A-10, I just I loved it. I loved the mission, I really found my passion and my purpose supporting our ground troops. And I think part of that was because my entire career flying A-10 was after 9/11. We deployed multiple times to combat, so I really saw where I was making a difference. And I was making a difference and helping our ground troops get home safely. And I didn't want to leave that. I just really felt committed to that role in that job and the responsibility of it. And so … I kind of just took a different path at that point. And sometimes it's hard, you know, to take that path and go off this course that it really had been a dream of mine for so long. But I absolutely love flying. Naviere Walkewicz  15:46 You had some very unique challenges. And so, I think one that many may be familiar with, but if you're not a listener that knows about this, you know, you had experienced a very challenging time after flying for about 20 years, while you were over Baghdad. Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  16:07 Yeah, you know, those life-changing moments that you think really are never going to happen to you. Right? … I think back to being a cadet, right, and just the moments of like, you know, the, you have this goal, you have these dreams, you have this idea of what your life is going to be like. And then for us, you know, 9/11 changed that dramatically. But it gave me the opportunity as an A-10 pilot to go do exactly what I was trained to do, which is close air support and supporting our troops on the ground. And this mission back on April 7, 2003, was no different than any of the other missions in terms of that was what we were going to do, was close air support. At this point, our ground troops had moved all the way to Baghdad, and so we were going to be right there with them. And I think the big difference for us that day was the weather wasn't very good; there were clouds covering Baghdad. And, you know, we actually didn't think we were going to be able to do anything; we kind of thought we would air refuel and then kind of just wait for a task. And we thought, well, maybe today is not a day where we're going to be able to help. And then we got a call that there are troops in contact, they were taking fire, they needed immediate assistance. And it's just that moment of like, we're going to do everything we can to get in there. And thankfully, we found some holes in the weather and we're able to get down below the clouds to support the ground troops. But again, it's everything that we train for, everything that we plan for. It's till a little bit surreal when you actually see the firefight happening, I remember dropping down below the weather and just seeing like tracers and smoke, and it's very surreal. And then kind of the reality of OK, we gotta get in there quickly. So, we did a couple of passes of guns and rockets on the enemy location and then pulling off target. My last pass is when I just felt and heard the loud explosion at the back of my airplane and I knew immediately I was hit. I mean, there was no doubt in my mind; I think the jet just nosed over. I remember looking down at Baghdad below and instinctively just pulled back on the control stick and nothing happened. And that's kind of when I felt like time slowed down a little bit, like I knew that it could go really poorly. And I just fell back on my training, you know, I fell back on everything that I was trained to do — trying to figure out what's going on in the cockpit, despite lots of things going wrong, lots of flashing lights. And I realized very quickly that my hydraulics were depleted, which meant that I had no control over the airplane at this point. But thankfully, the A-10 is built with backup emergency systems. And I was able to get in our backup emergency system. And then slowly the jet started to climb up and away from Baghdad. And that was kind of that like, that was the moment I'm like, alright, I might actually survive this because there was that period of time where I was like, I could crash like I could have to eject and the thought of ejecting over Baghdad was not a good one. And so just, you know, you think about all these things, and when time slows down, and I was just very thankful that it turned out the way it did. And then I had to get the airplane back to our home base, which is a whole different story of, of spending the longest hour of my life, trying to decide what I was going to do and how it was going to play out. Naviere Walkewicz  19:20 I think most could never imagine being in that situation. And you talk about moments that matter. So, getting into your book a little bit — “Flying in the Face of Fear,” I had the chance to listen to the audio version of your book, and it was wonderful. I think what's so powerful about it, as you take these moments in your career throughout your life, where these moments have helped you and thinking about how you navigate leadership, how you just navigate better. What are some of your most favorite parts about the book you wrote that like — what really is one — you chose those different chapters. What are the ones that really — just like, “I must tell this one because this one really spoke to me.” Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  20:06 I think a couple things. I mean, as I was flying back from Baghdad, I remember the stories of the pilots that came before me. I had read about their stories in a book called “Warthog” about A-10 pilots during Desert Storm. And in that hour back, you know, just struggling to kind of get the airplane under control and keep it in control, I remembered the stories of the pilots that came before me. And, sadly, not all of them survived. You know, there were three pilots that attempted to land in manual reversion, which is my backup emergency system that I was in. And I remember their stories, you know, I remembered, you know, the lessons that we learned, even from the fatality that we learned from those pilots. And so, I think that's what was so important to me is to capture those lessons so that the next generation, you know, will certainly have aviators, but also leaders — it's this idea of sharing stories, to help others. It's this idea of sharing your experiences and your lessons learned, even if they're, like, some painful lessons along the way, right? Painful lessons from failure, or mistakes or just tough experiences. To me, that's what was most important was to share like that true, authentic lesson, to try to just help others and maybe give people a little bit of a different perspective. That was what really drove me to write the book and what was so important for me to share. Naviere Walkewicz  21:31 That's powerful. I think one of the things that, you know, when listeners or readers were going through that, they might say, “How does this apply to me?” You know, “I'm, I'm not a pilot, I'm not over a warzone.” You know, “How, how do I relate this to me?” And I think what you did really artfully was just the lessons you told a story through your lens, but you really made it relatable in so many different levels. Sometimes we'll have listeners or readers ask about, “How do you balance life?” You have this profession and you have a family, you're a mom? How did you do that? And do you call it balance? Or do you call it just regular, you know, balls in the air? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  22:13 Sometimes I look back, I'm like, “Oh, my gosh, I don't know how we did this.” I mean, my husband was also active duty, we he spent 25 years and I spent 24 years and we were both A-10 pilots, we had kids, we did wait later in life to have kids pretty much because we were deployed nonstop in the first part of our careers. But sometimes I look back and I'm like, I have no idea how we did it. But I do know, I mean, we were really true partners and the journey, we — I guess the blessing of having a life-changing experience very early in your career and very early in your marriage is it gives you an opportunity to talk about the things that are really important and that really matter. And I think that's one thing that my husband and I did after that mission was really put life in perspective — when you think there are times when you may not survive. And so, we really sat down and just talked through what was important to us. And we didn't have kids at the time when that happened. And we just realized that family was important to us; having kids at some point was important to us. And I do I think the word balance I'm OK with it. I do, you know — I know there's lots of other words that people like you know, work-life harmony, work-life integration, work-life balance. For me, what I realized is that I initially put so much pressure on myself to be, like, this mom, a fighter pilot, a leader — like trying to do all of these things. And what I recognize is that balance comes for me anyway, it was over time. Like if I tried to have this perfect balance every day, like, first off, it was not achievable in my world. But I realized, for me, it was, like, overtime, like, if … I had one day where I was going to stay late at work, there was a lot going on, my airmen needed me — then I would try the next day or you know, few days later to just really make sure that I spent more time with my kids or maybe left early to spend time with my kids. Whatever it was, I just tried to find long-term balance and, you know, that's hard when you deploy for six months and then you know, … sometimes that balance comes over months or over a year. But I think that helped me also give myself some grace that it's not always gonna go exactly as we plan and some days are better than others. But I'm doing the best I can, you know? … I keep working on it. And I think it's just one thing that we were pretty hard on ourselves because we want to be able to do it all and sometimes we just need to give ourselves a little bit of grace. Naviere Walkewicz  24:35 Do you think that being hard on ourselves is normal to a leader or do you think that's just different personalities? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  24:45 I don't know. When I look back at my life, even as a young girl, like, I've always been pretty hard on myself and I always think when people say, “What's the one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?” it would be, “Don't be so hard on yourself.” I think it's probably just an very natural reaction. But I think, you know, sometimes we have this view of how we want things to turn out. And the truth is like, “You're gonna make mistakes, you're gonna fail.” I had this idea of perfection, and I realized: First off, it's just not possible you can work to achieve it and, and want to, you know, consistently try to improve and get better. But I think also, again, just not to be so hard on yourself, because it is going to, you know, there, there's going to be this path of ups and downs and challenges. And the reality is that it is painful at the time, but we come out stronger, like I look at some of the worst experiences, like just in terms of struggles, and the worst, you know, the hardest things I guess I've done is probably a better word. And truly, those made me stronger and a better person. You just don't see it in the moment. And that's the hard thing, you know, and so it's not being so hard on ourselves, because it's going to happen. But the truth is, how you respond is what really matters the most. Naviere Walkewicz  25:58 We talk about leadership, and I think, you know, response to leadership is one piece of it for sure. What about do you think leaders are born? Or are they made? Do you think that part of your leadership was an evolution? Or do you think people already just come with those natural talents? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  26:14 I mean, I think you may have some natural talents. But I think any leader that isn't working to be better and trying to develop themselves along the way is probably going to hit an endpoint. At some point, you know —  I look back and my final job in the Air Force was here at the Academy as the director for the Center for Character and Leadership Development. And I learned so much about myself in that year, I learned so much from this amazing team that works there, who are all experts in leadership and leadership development. And I love that that came in the final point of my career, you know, and I just feel like you, we have to constantly learn to improve and adapt. And my leadership style when I first started out was very different than, you know, when I finished my career And I think it's because I was learning, I was figuring out what works, I was making mistakes, and thankfully, having people, you know, share their feedback with me. So, I absolutely think that it requires work. Leadership requires work. It's, you know, it's not easy. There are challenges, there are things to learn, things adapt, your team is different. It's just constantly one of those things that professional development, for me is something that should continue throughout your career, throughout your life, always looking for new ways. And learning from your team as well. Like right now, I learned a lot from my kids. But I've learned a tremendous amount from the airmen that have worked for me as well. And that's just, it's rewarding, but I think it's one of those things that just helps us to continue to learn and grow. Naviere Walkewicz  27:44 I was actually going to ask you, you know, what does learning as a leader look like? And you really touched on that. Because, I think a lot of listeners are looking for those nuggets, or “How do I get better as a leader?” So, it's not necessarily just professional development. That's part of it, certainly, but it's also looking at others, learning from others. … What would you say are some of those lessons or traits that you picked up from others that you adopted into your leadership style? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  28:08 I think the biggest thing for me, as I look back and had some reflection time on this is, you know, I think when I started out, I had this idea that leadership was like — put on this tough exterior, like, have the answers, like, be strong and credible and capable. And I do think credibility is important. But I've also learned that that human connection, and really, just be authentic and true to who you are. But really connect with people on a human level like that, for me is night and day from, you know — I knew that I needed to get to know my airman like that was, you know, that made sense. But I think, really, truly connecting with people and taking the time to learn from them, like walking around and just getting to know your team on a very human level. Like meeting with them on a personal level also, like getting to know them and then their families. You know, obviously there's limits to this based on your position and your role. But I think just connecting with people and finding out where they struggle, you know, where do they add value? What do they bring to the organization? Letting them teach you what they do — I've had a few leadership roles where, you know, I'm not the expert, you know? I don't have the same background that everyone does. And I just really learned to learn from my team — whether it was driving a front loader with my civil engineers; suiting up in a fire suit and go into the burn house with my firefighters — those were moments that I just, there's some of my favorite moments is taking the time to really connect and get to know people and it builds trust. I did not start out that way. But to me, that was the most important thing that I learned and I learned it from my airmen. Naviere Walkewicz  29:45 There was a story you shared in your book about when you took command and it can get really tough. And I think it really talks about the connection piece.  Was it your son…? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  29:57 Yeah, he's 15 now. Yeah, he, you know, kids have a mind of their own. And he did at my change-of-command ceremony first, this was for squadron command. And he decided in the middle of the ceremony to just get up and come up on stage and sit in my lap. And I was, you know — there's that part of me that is just was so worried about what my team was thinking, you know, like, obviously not proper military protocol. I was trying to figure out how I was going to do the rest of the ceremony with my son up on stage with me. But I think, in that moment, like, I just remember looking down at my son, and even though my mind is racing, because I'm so worried about what people are thinking, that I look at him, and I'm like, You know what, this is me, right? Like, I'm a mom; that's just part of who I am. Yes, I am going to be a commander of 150 people. And sometimes I can't control my 3-year-old son. Like, that's just reality. But it put this perspective of like, letting people in a little bit to see me for who I was, you know, yes, I'm a mom, I'm a fighter pilot, I'm wife, I'm a leader. Like, here I am, you know, these, I'm all of these things. And at that, really that one moment, like, in the days after, when I spent time just walking to the different locations and meeting my team, like, that's the thing that came up was my son on my lap. I mean, that was the highlight for everyone. And so, it was this idea that my young airmen, you know, they taught me a lesson that day to like — we earn trust when we, like, create those connections and open ourselves up to have a little bit of vulnerability. So yeah, my 3-year-old kind of opened my eyes to just letting people in and letting people see who for who you are. Naviere Walkewicz  31:39 Well, that is certainly one way that your family, your 3-year-old at the time, influenced you as a leader. How else would you say — I know you said your dad is a grad. Your mom probably played a strong role in your leadership throughout the years, and your husband being in the military as well. Talk about your family's influence on you as a leader. Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  31:58 I think it all really started out growing up. My mom was an oncology nurse and she really, you know — she taught me a lot about that compassionate side, but also very credible and capable as an oncology nurse. And my dad, really from the moment that he decided that he was going to let me into his world of what going to the Air Force Academy … instilled in me this idea that if you want something, you're going to have to work for it. And you're, you know — it's not going to be easy. I remember, I did a lot of sports, like cross country and soccer. And so, my upper body strength wasn't great going into my application for the Academy. Naviere Walkewicz  32:37 And so you're gonna talk about the pull up? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  32:40 I couldn't do any. And my dad was like, "Well, if you're gonna go to the Academy…” and I think this was still a little testing, like, “Do you really want this? Are you really willing to put in the work?” He said, “All right, we'll install a pull up bar in the bathroom. And every time you go in and out, you can do a pull up.” And I did. And that meant that by the time I got to the Academy, I could max the pull ups. It but it was, it's, you know — it's that little early lesson of like, “If you want something you got to put in the work.” And, you know, that stayed with me. I mean, obviously, throughout my career, throughout my life, it's things that I talked to my kids about now. You know, you can have goals, and you can have dreams, but you have to put in the work. So, they absolutely, like they've been my role models, my heroes, my mentors. They still are, you know? Now they thankfully live close by; I get to see them more. But yeah, they've actually, you know, they've really been tremendous in my life. And, you know, I rely on them for their advice and mentorship. So, that's been really powerful. And then, you know, having a husband who was also a colonel, also a commander, to have somebody in your life you can bounce ideas off of who will have your back and give you honest feedback, right? Like, you know, we're very honest with each other. And we'll give each other feedback. And so that's really important. You know, it's that wingman support of somebody who is always there, that has your back, that's looking out for you, will support you, but will also push you to be at your best and, and who has been a true partner ... So, yeah, family is really important to me, I think it can make a tremendous difference in our lives, and my kids now teach me a lot of things as well — patience being one of them. Naviere Walkewicz  34:23 Being out of the uniform now, you know, what are some things that you're doing to continue to develop yourself as a leader? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  34:32 I think it's continuing to push myself outside my comfort zone. You know, I retired a few years ago, and that was a hard transition. You know, I miss the people I miss the camaraderie I miss that sense of commitment to service. And I realized that there's so many ways you can serve outside of the military as well. And for me, I realized part of it being in the Center for Character and Leadership Development, how passionate I was about inspiring others. and helping other leaders, whether they're brand-new leaders, or maybe even very experienced leaders look at something from a different perspective or to continue to push themselves out of their comfort zone because we can get comfortable in the way we've been doing things. And so, I just realized that that's something I'm passionate about. And so I've realized, I'm maybe I'm not serving in uniform anymore, but I'm trying to give back in a way, and I love the opportunity to mentor our next generation of cadets. But I also love the opportunity to travel to talk to different teams and organizations from the public and private sector to talk about leadership and talk about overcoming hard things and putting in the work. And that's been a lot of fun and very rewarding. Naviere Walkewicz  35:44 I can imagine that journey of developing yourself even outside of uniform, you know, as a, as a leader, you talk about pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. Can you share a time maybe where you've been doing that and you failed, and what that looked like, and how you picked yourself up or a time when you really saw some benefit from pushing yourself out of the comfort zone? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  36:05 I can talk to both. I think anytime you try something new, that feels a little bit scary, like, it just feels daunting. And I think even just for me, if I look back, probably earliest in my career, just being one of the only women going into a fighter squadron — that felt very outside of my comfort zone. I mean, yes, I had gone through pilot training. And I had gone through the training… but it felt very nerve-wracking to go into a fighter squadron. For the first time. I mean, the, one of the biggest failures I had was my final checkride and pilot training. And that was a moment where, you know, I had done so well, up to that point, minus some early bouts of air sickness, which is a totally different story, I might have read just when you think you have this whole thing planned out. But my final ride and pilot training was my formation ride — I had put myself out there as wanting to fly fighters at that point, we had made our dream sheet of fly the A-10. Like, I felt like I had done so well up to that point and really put in the work. And then I really struggled with my final formation checkride. And again, sometimes those moments that are so hard and such a struggle are also the moments where you learn the most. And I had made some mistakes in the ride and the flying and the formation, and I didn't let them go. Like, I just kept focusing on the mistakes. And I performed terribly on the ride. And, you know, thankfully, my instructor gave me some honest feedback and was like, “Kim, you're a good pilot, but that was a terrible ride.” But I think that one ride really reinforced to me this idea of when you make a mistake, like, let it go. Like, you can't focus on it, you just learn the lesson and don't do it again, but let it go. So, I think you know, that was one of those ones where, you know, it certainly didn't go so well. But I think it really made me stronger, and a better pilot and a better leader, and I'm thankful that I learned that early in my career. I will tell you, on the positive side of getting outside my comfort zone — like, I never thought I was going to be an author and I never it wasn't on my dream list. It wasn't a goal that I had set my for myself. And I joked to my husband a few times, like I wrote the book, but then was going to have the courage to publish it because it felt very vulnerable. It felt very vulnerable to put myself out there and to share some of the stories and, you know — the good stories are one thing, but the mistakes, the failures, you know, the things that didn't go as well, it felt very vulnerable. And, you know, he always laughed, he's like, “Of course you are.” You have to take your own advice, you know, even when you're scared, you do it anyway. And so, pushing myself outside my comfort zone to publish the book and put it out there. And now to get the feedback from people of how important it is to hear the not just the good, but the bad, right, the struggles, the challenges, and to know that, yes, you can have this amazing résumé and done some amazing things and how to have a great career. But what are the things behind that? And I think that's sometimes what we miss. And so, I'm thankful for the opportunity. And it's been a reminder to me that even when it feels uncomfortable, that we have to go for it, you know, to put ourselves out there and give it a shot. And, you know, this has been incredibly rewarding. Naviere Walkewicz  39:20 Well, I have to say, you know, it's funny that we've only just met in person for the first time today when we hugged and said hello, because I feel like I've known you — I mean, aside from reading the book. I remember going on LinkedIn when you got the box of your shipment. And I just remember being in that moment with you — I think you were so emotional about opening up the box and seeing your book and holding it in your hand, like this was a special moment. … So, I think you know your leadership. The way you inspire people has transcended, you know, different social mediums and also just people that you never even met. So, I thank you for that moment because, yeah, I mean, that really inspired me as well. Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  40:01 I think it was also, you know, seeing the book for the first time, but also like, “Oh yeah, like, now it's in print, there's no turning back now.” But yeah, you know, even pilots and guys that I flew with were like, “We thought we knew pretty well, but, like, we had no idea that the some of these things were going on or that, you know, these were some of the things that you were feeling.” And just, I appreciate that, you know, that they recognize that. But there's sometimes that there's a lot more going on with people that we don't recognize. And so, you know, putting yourself out there is a little scary. But it is, like I said — it's just been such an honor to be able to connect with people and for them to share their stories with me, and to know that in some way I can help make a difference on their journey. Naviere Walkewicz  40:46 Well, for those listeners that are looking for nuggets, and how to get to know people better when you just said that, you know, we thought we knew you, we didn't know you were handled all those things going on, how would you share with leaders that they might do that better for people that work for them? Their colleagues? What does that look like if they're not reading a book? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  41:06 I think it means, you know, we often say, "Well, I have an open-door policy." I think it's more than that — it is getting out of your office, getting away from the computer, and walking around and really talking to people and just taking those small moments with people as individuals, as humans, and really getting to know them. And, you know, again, it's all about, like, “Let them teach you something; you don't know everything.” You know, how can you learn more? How can you continue to develop and grow? What can you share with them that you learned on your own journey? Yes, you can do that in large groups, but sometimes that one on one, like, hey, I've been there, I know what you're feeling. I struggle there too. This is where I failed. You know, those little moments are really important. And it lets your team see you as human to Right. Like you're not perfect, you don't have all the answers, you have your own challenges. I think that is truly important that human level connection really is important. Yes, you should be credible, you should be capable. You have to put in the work, but that humility and approachability is also so important. Naviere Walkewicz  42:07 What are the one or two key lessons in leadership that you'd really love to share with our listeners? Like, what do you want them to take away? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  42:14 Yeah. I think one of the things that really sticks out to me — and it's something that we learned as cadets as well — is the idea of having a wingman by your side personally, professionally, — someone that will have your back, someone that will support you. I think it has been so critical throughout my life; I think at that moment over Baghdad, when everything was going wrong, I mean, just everything was going wrong. And all I said over the radio was, "two got hit, two got hit." That was it. And immediately my wingman stepped in. He, you know, immediately provided me guidance and support when I needed it most. And you know, when the adrenaline is pumping, we're feeling overwhelmed, like that wingman can step in and help us to see the bigger picture and make the best possible decision. And I think that mutual support, like, yes, it's that moment over Baghdad of having that mutual support. But I think back to as a cadet, right, like, the moments of struggle through basic training, or recognition, or just academics, whatever it was, like, having people that you could count on to be your support network was huge. And even, you know, as a leader at, you know, as a colonel, as a leader, as a commander all these different times, I wasn't alone. I had, you know, a team, I had chiefs that were just incredible, who had shut the door and given me honest feedback. But who would also support me, and I think that is just so critical to have somebody by your side. And again, it's personal. It's professional. I mean, my husband has been my wingman. I think it's just a reminder that we don't have to do hard times alone, that we can have a wingman by our side that we can count on.   Naviere Walkewicz  43:47 That is a fantastic lesson. Well, there's always the possibility that when our listeners, you know, review this and we go back through the, through our time together, they'll be things that they would wish they'd wish we talked about. Yeah. So how can they get a hold of you? You know, what does that look like? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  44:04 Well, first off, I would love for people to reach out if there's a question or something that someone wanted to ask or, you know, that we didn't cover. I think it's important that people reach out and ask the question, I love to connect with people. The easiest way to get in touch with me is probably through my website because it has links to all the social media channels, and my email. So, the website is kim-kc-campbell.com. And again, it has links to LinkedIn and Instagram and Twitter and all the different locations that you could find. It also has links to my book if people are interested in the book. It's available Amazon Barnes and Noble, your favorite local bookseller wherever you would like to purchase the book. And like you said, it's available in an audio version. It's available in hardcopy, but yeah, please reach out. I'm open to feedback as well. I love when people share some thoughts about the book and thoughts about the podcast. It would be great to connect. Naviere Walkewicz  45:01 Well, I'd be remiss if we didn't end with just the quick story of how KC came to be. Like, can you just share with our listeners how you got that call-sign? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  45:10 Yeah, the KC part, right? So everybody thinks it's my initials, because that's the easy button. But it's every fighter pilot has a callsign. And I got mine after being designated combat mission ready in the A-10. And we're not in the room when they tell stories about us from our experience, but I was the only female fighter pilot and our A-10 Squadron. And so, I came back into the room, lots of tears, lots of excitement, and they said, “Your new callsign is KC.” And I was like, well, that's kind of lame. I didn't say that out loud. Because it's my initials. And they said, it stands for “Killer Chick.” And I was like, “All right, well, that's fitting.” You're like, “I can handle that.” Naviere Walkewicz  45:46 Well, this was wonderful, Kim. Can you remind listeners one more time the name of your book just so in case you missed it? Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  45:53 Yes. “Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage.” Naviere Walkewicz  45:58 Thank you so much for your time today. Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell  46:00 Thank you so much. I appreciate it.   KEYWORDS Air Force Academy, moment, cadets, learned, Baghdad, pilot, leadership, felt, listeners, Academy, book, work, leader, lessons, important, people, talk, callsign, life, stories   The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation   

In this episode Jennifer reflects on the past year and shares productivity tips. Drawing lessons from football, Jen highlights the importance of perseverance and confidence, using the example of Alabama football's quarterback, Jalen Monroe. She also discusses the concept of 'finishing' and the importance of achieving set goals. Jen shares strategies to optimize daily routines, manage personal energy, and minimize distractions. She also emphasizes the significance of daily reflection and planning. Go to The Next First Down website for videos/resources to get you on the path to an executive career and unlocking those high-income opportunities: www.thenextfirstdown.com Check out these other Move the Ball podcast episodes: Bonus Episode w/Bonneau Ansley:  https://www.jenniferagarrett.com/podcast/episode/ce9da380/bonneau-ansley-how-to-dominate-the-real-estate-market Bonus Episode w/Chris Tuff: https://www.jenniferagarrett.com/podcast/episode/2f1de5ba/chris-tuff-dont-be-an-askhole Bonus Episode w/Kim "KC" Campbell: https://www.jenniferagarrett.com/podcast/episode/33525530/kim-kc-campbell-lessons-from-a-fighter-pilot Bonus Episode w/Derrick Burroughs: https://www.jenniferagarrett.com/podcast/episode/2fb4888e/derrick-burroughs-leading-through-building-personal-relationships Jen's Playbook - Creating Habits that Stick: https://www.jenniferagarrett.com/podcast/episode/1e50ca5f/how-to-create-habits-that-stick Jen's Playbook - How to Network Like a Pro: https://www.jenniferagarrett.com/podcast/episode/409c39de/elevate-separate-and-dominate-how-to-network-like-a-pro Jen's Playbook - 10 Ways to Be Mentally Strong: https://www.jenniferagarrett.com/podcast/episode/d1bd89b3/10-ways-to-be-mentally-strong Move the Ball Book - Play the Full "60" Chapter: https://www.jenniferagarrett.com/podcast/episode/1d9fa0b8/move-the-ball-play-the-full-60 Dominate the Game Book - Own Your Game Chapter: https://www.jenniferagarrett.com/podcast/episode/474d3e4c/strategies-to-own-your-game Dominate the Game Book - Trust the Process Chapter: https://www.jenniferagarrett.com/podcast/episode/4a91f0be/trusting-the-process-to-dominate-the-game Jen's Playbook: Navigating & Accelerating Your Career Part 1: https://www.jenniferagarrett.com/podcast/episode/1fecd935/navigating-and-accelerating-your-career-pa... Jen's Playbook: Navigating & Accelerating Your Career Part 2: https://www.jenniferagarrett.com/podcast/episode/2e4b8da7/navigating-and-accelerating-your-career-pa...    Let's move the ball, make things happen, and dominate our game! Get Your Signed Copies of Move the Ball & Dominate the Game: http://dominateandmove.com Learn more about how I can help you: http://www.getinsidethehuddle.com Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/movetheball Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movetheball/ Get your Move the Ball Merch: https://www.wemovetheball.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trager Approach is a massage therapy technique that can be especially helpful to veterans with complex PTSD. Find out more in this episode and learn how you can connect with a certified Trager Approach practicioner. Plus, a special  excerpt brings us a delightful throwback to Ted Robertson's interview with retired Air Force Colonel, Kim "KC" Campbell. Hear about her inspiring story and discover her book that is now available: Flying in the Face of Fear.   The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is a Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 

In this episode retired Air Force colonel and fighter pilot Kim “KC” Campbell discusses military career, her transition into civilian life, and her experiences as a female leader. Kim shares the inspiration behind her decision to serve, her experiences at the Air Force Academy, and her role as the director for the Center for Character and Leadership Development. Listen in as Jennifer and Kim also discuss the importance of continuous improvement, setting ego aside, and being vulnerable as a leader. Kim also talks about her book, "Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage," and the challenges she faced while writing it.   Kim “KC” Campbell is a retired Colonel who served in the Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission. Today, Kim is a sought-after keynote speaker, sharing her inspirational story with business and corporate audiences about a life changing combat experience while weaving in lessons about leadership, vulnerability, and courage. Kim is also the best-selling author of the book, Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage.   Connect with Kim in the following ways: Kim's website: https://kim-kc-campbell.com/ Pick up a copy of Kim's book, Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage: https://amzn.to/3QEjHg3 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-kc-campbell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kchawg987/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC961rdCvn0QxJ07WdhEvmfA   Let's move the ball, make things happen, and dominate our game! Get Your Signed Copies of Move the Ball & Dominate the Game: http://dominateandmove.com Learn more about how I can help you: http://www.getinsidethehuddle.com Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/movetheball Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movetheball/ Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@movetheballpodcast Get your Move the Ball Merch: https://www.wemovetheball.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kim “KC” Campbell is a retired Colonel, serving in the Air Force for 24 years as a fighter pilot, a senior leader, and the Director of the Center for Character & Leadership Development at the Air Force Academy. She is the author of Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage. In this episode, we talk about training to perform under pressure, overcoming fear and chaos, and the power of storytelling in training the next generation of operators.

After a 24-year career serving as a fighter pilot and senior military leader, Kim “KC” Campbell retired from the United States Air Force and is now the Managing Director of Victory Strategies, a leadership development firm, and serves on the board for Special Operators Transition Foundation. While serving in the military, Kim flew more than 100 combat missions in both Iraq and Afghanistan. She is the author of the best-selling book Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage.Many fighter pilots choose to fly commercially once they leave the military. As Kim reflected on the reasons she wanted to retire, she realized that a career in commercial piloting would not give her the stability she was seeking. With a husband and two young children, Kim wanted to spend more time with her family. Kim's final job in the military was Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development. In this role, she helped mold and develop the next generation of leaders at the Air Force Academy. Because Kim had tried to retire previously, she had the time to reflect and build her network before leaving the military. Kim encourages transitioning service members to be open to new opportunities and have confidence in their ability to figure new things out.  Kim addresses the civilian perception of a military leader – a reserved, credible, strong, powerful and closed-minded individual. Kim argues that many of the best leaders she encountered while serving were credible, humble, approachable and willing to ask questions. The military is known for challenging its leaders to find solutions in dynamic situations. Military leaders tend to be adaptable, flexible and creative problem-solvers in the civilian workforce. Kim outlines several leadership strategies in her book. After studying data and reflecting on her own career, Kim believes the best way to influence and lead is pairing credibility with warmth. By warmth, she means the ability to authentically interact with people and listen to new ideas. This strategy creates trustworthiness and approachability. Another strategy comes directly from her experience as a fighter pilot: Aviate, Navigate and Communicate. Aviate is the ability to focus on the most important issue at hand. Navigate is figuring out where you are going and what you need to do once you have control of the situation. Communicating with others not only lets them know about the issue but provides them with an opportunity to assist. A lesson Kim continues to learn and relearn is the ability to ask for help or accept assistance when it is offered. In the times that she has accepted help from others, she has been a better leader, mom and spouse. She encourages others to accept help during the transition process.Kim reflects on her dual-military marriage. She and her husband learned very early on that they needed to communicate openly about their needs and wants before they became larger issues. They realized that each of them would need to make personal and professional sacrifices for the marriage to work. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.Connect with Kim at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-kc-campbell/Explore Flying in the Face of Fear at https://tinyurl.com/FFFKCBookSUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

Today, I'm joined by Kim “KC” Campbell, and we're talking about How to Lead with Courage. Kim is a retired Air Force Colonel who served for over 24 years. She has flown over 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission in Baghdad. She is the author of Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage. I'm excited to have her on the show to learn How to Lead with Courage. Show resources: Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage book Kim “KC” Campbell's website Kim “KC” Campbell on LinkedIn Sponsors: Ignite Management Services Liberty Strength  ____ Order my latest bestselling book, You Have the Watch: A Guided Journal to Become a Leader Worth Following Order my bestselling leadership book, All in the Same Boat - Lead Your Organization Like a Nuclear Submariner Order my bestselling leadership book, I Have the Watch: Becoming a Leader Worth Following Become a leader worth following today with these powerful resources: Subscribe to my leadership newsletter Follow Jon S Rennie on Twitter Follow Jon S Rennie on Instagram Follow Jon S Rennie on YouTube The Experience of Leadership book Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I speak with Kim “KC” Campbell. She served in the Air Force for 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission. Most recently, Kim served as the Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the Air Force Academy. Kim is also the author of Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage.https://kim-kc-campbell.com/Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Couragehttps://www.instagram.com/kchawg987/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-kc-campbell/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087531585608 Get Free GiftThe limitless organization short video coursemike-goldman.com/limitlessThanks for listening! Connect with us at mike-goldman.com/blog and on Instagram@mikegoldmancoach and on YouTube @Mikegoldmancoach

This episode will dive into the story of Kim “KC” Campbell, one of the few pilots ever to land the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II “Warthog” manually. Kim is a graduate from the United States Air Force Academy. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog and more than 100 combat missions including in Iraq and Afghanistan.  In 2003, Kim received the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism, as she skillfully recovered her battle-damaged aircraft following an intense close air support mission in Baghdad. Campbell has since retired from the Air Force and now is a guest professor, speaker, and bestselling author. She shares with us her pathway to becoming an A-10 pilot, and lessons she's learned from the cockpit. THIS is going to be cool!Key Takeaways: Kim served for 24 years before retirement, holding positions such as a fighter pilot, Deputy Chief and then Chief of the A-10 Operational Training Development Team, Commander of the 355th Operations Support Squadron, Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and more. Kim and her father both graduated from the Air Force Academy at the highest rank of Cadet Wing Commander, making them the first father daugther duo to hold that accolade. At the time, only a handful of pilots had ever tried to land the A-10 Warthog manually. Kim later was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for her bravery and airmanship while flying the A-10. Campbell is now retired and has started her new career of speaker, coach, and author, telling stories about her lessons from the cockpit and how they can be used in every day life. Kim's book, Flying in the Face of Fear, tells several stories about the missions she was on and how they can be used as learning tools for businesses and employees. Resources: Kim "KC" Campbell Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage: Amazon Books

What's it like to be a real Top Gun? Well colonel Kim KC Campbell tells her harrowing tale of surviving almost being shot down over Baghdad during Operation Freedom. From being inspired to be an Air Force Academy graduate after watching the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, to being deployed to Kuwait shortly after 911, to her miraculous landing, Kim opens up about overcoming fear, and focusing on getting her A-10 Warthog back to base. "When I landed I couldn't see the damage. But I climbed down and was greeted by the Marine Corps firefighters,...and they look at me, then the plane then back at me, and lined up to shake my hand...and then I looked. There were over 600 bullet holes in the jet, and a gaping hole in the fuselage." This is an interview you must listen to as Kim shares her epic experience of survival. Kim is the real Top Gun. Who Is Colonel Kim "KC" Campbell? Kim “KC” Campbell is a retired Air Force Colonel who served in the Air Force for 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission. Most recently, Kim served as the Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the Air Force Academy. Kim is also the author of the best-selling book, Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage. Connect and learn more at www.kim-kc-campbell.com About Awakened Nation: Fueled by the passion to ignite game-changing conversations, award-winning author Brad Szollose created Awakened Nation—a podcast dedicated to deeper conversations with today's outliers and cutting edge entrepreneurs, idea makers and disruptors, bestselling authors, activists, healers, spiritual leaders, professional athletes, celebrities, politicians and rock stars...conversations that take a deep dive into the extraordinary. This podcast will challenge your beliefs. Think Art Bell meets Joe Rogan. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/awakenednation/support

Kim “KC” Campbell served in the Air Force for 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission. Most recently, Kim served as the Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the Air Force Academy. Kim is also the author of Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage. Connect and learn more with Kim by checking out the links in the show notes. In this episode, we discuss some of the challenges around fear in the workplace and strategies for dealing with fear, including knowing your why, building teams through connections, fighter pilot debriefs, and creating a wingman culture.Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app.Find Kim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-kc-campbell/Kim was interviewed about getting her A-10 back home: https://youtu.be/7VzXN4OhwroLink to information about my book: https://kim-kc-campbell.com/book/To get a hold of us here at Keepin' The Lights On, please email: podcast@graybar.comTo learn more about the podcast: https://www.graybar.com/podcast

Get ready to feel inspired and discover how you can face fear and step into leading with courage. Today's guest is Kim “KC” Campbell, recently retired Air Force Colonel, combat fighter pilot, and bestselling author of 'Flying in the Face of Fear, A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage'. Kim takes us on an in-depth exploration of her personal leadership journey. From her unwavering commitment starting at age 10 to join the Air Force Academy, to being a senior leader in the military, mom, and inspirational speaker, Kim's story shows true resilience.Kim goes beyond stories to share how pivotal moments helped form her approach to leadership. Her journey from being an officer to showing how to lead with authenticity makes for an insightful listen. She highlights how she learned to balance her roles as a mom and a leader, and how her commitment to being approachable became key to building trust with her team. In her book, Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage, the epilogue immediately has the reader captivated with heart racing. We talk about the book and more in this interview.3 Lessons About Courageous Leadership:Learn how to use visualization to be prepared for any situation.Find out strategies of what to do when you experience fear and how to move forward with courage anyway.Discover how women can overcome challenges working in a male-dominated field and be authentic leaders."It is truly not the fear that matters. It is all about what we do with it. Can we step up and take action in the face of fear? Can we be afraid and do it anyway? It is about having the courage in those moments. That is what matters."- Kim "KC" CampbellWhether you're a seasoned leader or just starting on your journey, this conversation with Kim “KC” Campbell will leave you inspired and motivated. Take a listen, and get ready to feel empowered to lead with courage.This podcast is sponsored by HerCsuite™ personal development programs. Find out which one is best for you and schedule a call with us and explore what is NEXT on your career path.If you found this podcast episode helpful, we would love it if you share it with a friend or colleague and rate the episode on Apple podcasts.Keep shining your light out. The world needs you.Thank you Kim "KC" Campbell, for the amazing insights both in this podcast and in your new book. We thank you for your courageous leadership and for serving our country.ResourcesFlying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter's Pilots Lessons on Leading with CourageKim-KC-Campbell.com Kim "KC" Campbell LinkedInKim "KC" Campbell TwitterKim "KC" Campbell InstagramKim "KC" Campbell FacebookHerCsuite™HerCsuite™ Radio PodcastHerCsuite.comNatalie Benamou LinkedInHerCsuite™ LinkedIn

Episode page with transcript, videos, and more My guest for Episode #218 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Colonel Kim “KC” Campbell, who served in the Air Force for 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader.  KC has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  KC is now a keynote speaker and bestselling author. Her new book, Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage is now available! KC is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Academy and has a Master of Arts in International Security Studies and a MBA from the University of London.  In 2003, Colonel Campbell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission in Baghdad. She has served in roles including Squadron Commander, Operations Group Commander and, most recently, KC served as the Director for the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the United States Air Force Academy. In this episode, KC shares her favorite mistake story about a time her visor fogged up when flying an A-10 Warthog in a training mission. What did she learn from this mistake, including how to let mistakes go — to put them aside and debrief at the right time? She also discusses almost being shot down over Baghdad — would it have been a mistake to eject? Was it almost a mistake not to? As she says on her website: "But how can we improve if we don't learn from our mistakes?” Questions and Topics: Learning to stay calm under stress? — learned over time?? Kids and sports —- Lenny Walls – Ep 51 Learning to stay calm under stress? — learned over time?? Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism Almost being shot down over Baghdad? Debriefing, learning, and moving forward? Planning for contingencies is a way of preventing mistakes… Mistake of ejecting too soon vs. too late? Is this critiqued? For learning? How many women when you became a fighter pilot? Lessons for women navigating male-dominated environments? Debriefing from mistakes as fighter pilots and learning — what's that culture??? Learning and overcoming them… Question from your video — “Vulnerability isn't about weakness… it's about being open to uncertainty” – help your team be willing to be more innovative… try new things…  Please follow, rate, and review via Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, or your favorite app — that helps others find this content, and you'll be sure to get future episodes as they are released weekly. You can also financially support the show through Spotify. You can now sign up to get new episodes via email, to make sure you don't miss an episode. This podcast is part of the Lean Communicators network. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page with transcript, videos, and more⁠ My guest for Episode #218 of the ⁠My Favorite Mistake podcast is Colonel Kim “KC” Campbell⁠, who served in the Air Force for 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader.  KC has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  KC is now a keynote speaker and bestselling author. Her new book, ⁠Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage⁠ is now available! KC is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Academy and has a Master of Arts in International Security Studies and a MBA from the University of London.  In 2003, Colonel Campbell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission in Baghdad. She has served in roles including Squadron Commander, Operations Group Commander and, most recently, KC served as the Director for the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the United States Air Force Academy. In this episode, KC shares her favorite mistake story about a time her visor fogged up when flying an A-10 Warthog in a training mission. What did she learn from this mistake, including how to let mistakes go — to put them aside and debrief at the right time? She also discusses almost being shot down over Baghdad — would it have been a mistake to eject? Was it almost a mistake not to? As she says on her website: "But how can we improve if we don't learn from our mistakes?” Questions and Topics: Learning to stay calm under stress? — learned over time?? Kids and sports —- ⁠Lenny Walls – Ep 51⁠ Learning to stay calm under stress? — learned over time?? Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism Almost being shot down over Baghdad? Debriefing, learning, and moving forward? Planning for contingencies is a way of preventing mistakes… Mistake of ejecting too soon vs. too late? Is this critiqued? For learning? How many women when you became a fighter pilot? Lessons for women navigating male-dominated environments? Debriefing from mistakes as fighter pilots and learning — what's that culture??? Learning and overcoming them… Question from your video — “Vulnerability isn't about weakness… it's about being open to uncertainty” – help your team be willing to be more innovative… try new things…  Please ⁠follow⁠, rate, and review via ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, Podchaser, or your favorite app — that helps others find this content, and you'll be sure to get future episodes as they are released weekly.  You can now ⁠sign up to get new episodes via email⁠, to make sure you don't miss an episode. This podcast is part of the ⁠Lean Communicators network⁠.  

Kim "KC" Campbell, a former fighter pilot and author of "Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage." In this episode, Kim discusses a mission during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the importance of teamwork and staying calm despite chaos. Campbell emphasizes the value of listening to others' stories, making tough decisions as a leader, empowering team members, and supporting veterans. She also highlights the significance of adaptability and facing fears with courage.   Key Takeaways [03:43] Kim discusses her experience as an Air Force Academy graduate and her mission during Operation Iraqi Freedom where she received the Distinguished Fine Cross for heroism. Kim emphasizes the importance of teamwork, mutual support, and staying calm during crises as a leader. [15:47] Kim, a former pilot and leader in the military, emphasizes the importance of listening to stories and learning from others' experiences. She credits listening to fellow pilots' war stories for her success during a crucial moment when she had to fly using a backup emergency system. [21:44] She also talks about the challenges of having difficult conversations as a leader. Adaptability is a key competency that can be learned, and Kim encourages leaders to be flexible and responsive to changing circumstances. Lastly, Kim discusses her passion for supporting veterans during their transition into civilian life and believes in offering them support and opportunities because of their tremendous value in solving complex problems and leading teams. [27:56] Kim also discusses the importance of trust and resilience in teams, and how stories can help build these qualities. [31:50] She reflects on her experience establishing a center for Character and Leadership Development, which aimed to teach character and leadership skills through real-life examples and stories. [37:45] Kim shares her experience writing letters every week to get accepted into the military academy, highlighting the importance of persistence and creativity in achieving goals [39:57] She encourages leaders to take action in the face of fear and to stay flexible and adaptable in challenging situations. [41:26] Closing quote: Remember, “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. ” —  Henry Ford   Quotable Quotes "Sometimes failures do turn into positive things as well."   "It doesn't happen alone...It is a true team effort."   "Create a wingman culture...understand the role that you play on a team."   "There's so much benefit in listening and learning from stories."   "Recognize your shortfalls and get better at asking for help."   "Teach people to think outside the box and be flexible."   "Sometimes the standard rules and procedures don't apply, and we need to be flexible."   "We all face fear in our lives. It may not be flying a fighter jet in combat, but it's fear of failure. It's fear of not meeting expectations. It's fear of not being good enough. And we cannot let that fear drive us. We have to still be able to step up and take action and have courage to face those fears."   "When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." - Henry Ford   These are the books mentioned in our discussion with Kim   Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | Kim Campbell's LinkedIn | Kim Campbell's Website | Kim Campbell's Twitter |  

Colonel Kim Campbell is a retired United States Air Force officer and Command Pilot. She was decorated for piloting her A-10 Thunderbolt II back to base in southern Iraq after taking heavy anti-aircraft artillery damage in aerial combat over Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. She served for 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader - she is fearless and most importantly she is now showing up to pay forward her knowledge to others. Topics discussed: 1) You lead a life based on passion and purpose and have flown over 1800 hours, 100 of these being in combat missions protecting troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan. What led you to become this woman in what is known as a male dominated community? 2) You were challenged by complex situations you found yourself in.  How did you navigate these and what knowledge can you pay forward to others to apply in their lives? 3) A success mindset is required in the battle fields because most often than not you face the unknown.  Unknown because it's 50/50, win or lose -  you are placing your life on the line for your country and the teams you lead. What created your powerful mindset and how did you use this as a tool / gift to empower others? 4) You're a mum of two young boys and a wife - how did you keep it together for your family while empowering the teams you led. Did you ever break down and think you could not do this? When was it time to walk away? 5) Your next powerful step? You can connect with speaker, author, leader and Fighter Pilot Kim Campbell www.Kim-KC-Campbell.com You can follow Tory on Linkedin and purchase her book Self Belief is Your Superpower hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kim “KC” Campbell is a retired Colonel who served in the Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission in Baghdad.   As a senior military leader, Kim has led hundreds of Airmen both at home and abroad in deployed locations and enabled them to succeed in their missions. Kim knows what it takes to be a successful leader, to inspire and empower high-performing teams to achieve success.   Kim's Air Force assignments include leadership roles as a Group Commander, responsible for over 1,000 Air Force personnel in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. She also served as the Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, advising the number three civilian official in the Department of Defense on national security and defense policy formulation. Kim has also served as the Air Force Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, a pre-eminent think tank promoting international leadership and engagement. Most recently, she served as the Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the Air Force Academy.   Kim is also the best-selling author of Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage. Connect and learn more at: http://www.Kim-KC-Campbell.com   Sara and Kim talk about Kim's experience, how she knew this is what she wanted since the 5th grade, not accepting “No”, her fears, the great gift of our “wingmen” and “wingwomen”, her now being retired, raising her children, her book and so much more. It is an inspiring conversation about being a woman in a man's world, keeping your eye on what you want, how we handle being in highly intense life-threatening situations. And mostly about pursuing what you are passionate about and believing in YOU.   Website: www.saraschultingkranz.com   Social media: https://www.instagram.com/saraschultingkranz/ https://www.facebook.com/sara.schultingkranz

Col. (Rtd) Kim "KC" Campbell USAF is a remarkable person. Her career almost never happened, as the US Air Force Academy initially rejected her. Still, her determination would see her enter the Academy and on multiple combat deployments on the venerable A-10 Hog over Afghanistan and Iraq, where she was famously hit over Baghdad, bringing her stricken Hog home safely. Kim's new book Flying in the Face of Fear, reflects on her career and the lessons she has learned and how they can be applied by anyone who wishes to lead with courage.You can pick up a copy of Kim's book, Flying in the Face of Fear, at Bookshop.org in the US here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/flying-in-the-face-of-fear-a-fighter-pilot-s-lessons-on-leading-with-courage-kim-campbell/18729979?ean=9781394152353In the UK you can visit The Damcasters Bookshop, where 10% of your purchase supports the pod here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11015/9781394152353Follow Kim on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-kc-campbell/Follow Kim on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/kchawg987Visit Kim's website at: https://kim-kc-campbell.com/ Please check out our sponsor, the Pima Air and Space Museum, through the links below: Visit the Pima Air and Space Museum's website here: https://pimaair.org/Learn more about the Titan Missle Museum here: https://titanmissilemuseum.org/Find out who is in the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame here: https://pimaair.org/about-us/arizona-aviation-hall-of-fame/Want to know how the Tucson Military Vehicle Museum is progressing? Find out more here: https://www.tucsonmilitaryvehicle.org/Fancy becoming a Damcasteer? Join the fun on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and grab some merch. Check out the link below for more info.The Damcasters © 2022 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode hear from 24 year retired Fighter Pilot Kim "KC" Campbell as she shares her extraordinary story of overcoming the odds as a woman in the airforce.  Kim's story mirrors the life lessons of a leader, you will be inspired, amazed and equipped to get after it! And if you are looking for more connection with more women leaders, be sure to check out womenleaderspodcast.com for a chapter near you. And snag a copy of Kim's new book Flying in the Face of Fear.

In this episode I speak with Colonel Kim "KC" Campbell, former Air Force fighter pilot, military leader and author of: "Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage," whose wakeup calls were watching the Challenger disaster as a child, wanting to become an astronaut, becoming an Air Force fight pilot and surviving a near crash on a mission over Baghdad. https://kim-kc-campbell.com/

Flying in the Face of Fear!  Join me and my guest retired Air Force Colonel Kim “KC” Campbell who served in the Air Force for 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after an intense close air support mission. Kim's Air Force assignments include leadership roles as a Group Commander, responsible for over 1,000 Air Force personnel. She also served as the Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and as the Air Force Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. Most recently, Kim served as the Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the Air Force Academy. She is the author of Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep #174: Leading with Courage with Kim CampbellLearning how to be courageous in the face of fear is one of the best things you can do to step into a whole new level of leadership. And I can think of few people who would be better to teach you how to overcome that fear and become a courageous leader than Kim Campbell. Before becoming an executive coach and keynote speaker, Kim was: An Air Force colonel; the Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the Air Force Academy; AND she was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane during a mission in Baghdad. Kim is no stranger to fear, and on this episode of Women Changing Leadership with Stacy Mayer, Kim and I discuss how you can learn to lead with courage, no matter what is happening in your career right now.Join us inside my group coaching intensive, Executive Ahead of Time.

What does “KC” stand for? Killer Chick. Kim “KC” Campbell served in the Air Force for 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. KC's story is one for all of us. It's about courage, inspiration and perseverance. It's about creating a wingman culture of mutual respect and excellence. We talk about the educational value of debriefs and how we can integrate this practice into our own daily lives. And of course we talk about that fateful day when Kim's A-10 was hit by a missile over Bagdad. This is a story you won't want to miss. For Bump II Subscribers, you can hear about courage and leadership directly from KC.   Coming Soon, The first in a series of books about inspiring people: Bump In The Road, Stories of Courage, Perseverance and Resilience A book about living with heart, soul and courage. Website: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram:   #BumpInTheRoad #Avgeek #Aviation #pilot

Kim “KC” Campbell is a retired Air Force Colonel who served in the Air Force for over 24 years. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was even awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission in Baghdad. As a senior military leader, Kim has led hundreds of Airmen both at home and abroad in deployed locations and enabled them to succeed in their missions. She has experience leading complex organizations and driving cultural change. Kim knows what it takes to be a successful leader, to inspire and empower high performance teams to achieve success. Kim is passionate about leadership and feels strongly that leaders earn trust by leading with courage and connecting with their team. Get her book here!

Founder and attorney Keith Gross of Advancing Florida joined VERONICA LIVE to discuss his new conservative nonprofit. Advancing Florida promotes the constitutional way of running and operating the government. We also discussed Keith's support of Governor Ron DeSantis and why he is not a fan of Senator Rick Scott. Colonel Retired Kim "KC" Campbell joined VERONICA LIVE to discuss her just released book FLYING IN THE FACE OF FEAR. The book showcases what it takes to become a fighter pilot flying the A-10 Warthog in combat. The book also imparts leadership lesson learned during KC's 24 year Air Force career that can be applied in any work place today. Wonderful interview with a truly battle tested leader. Nonprofit founder Linda Cope of the Warrior Beach Retreat joined VERONICA LIVE in studio to discuss the upcoming parade and dinner that will be featuring her son combat wounded U.S. Army Sergeant Joshua Cope as the guest speaker.

Air Force Colonel Retired Kim "KC" Campbell joined VERONICA LIVE to discuss her just released book FLYING IN THE FACE OF FEAR. The book showcases what it takes to become a fighter pilot flying the A-10 Warthog in combat. The book also imparts leadership lessons learned during KC's 24 year Air Force career that can be applied in any work place today. Wonderful interview with a truly battle tested leader.

Fear and nervousness are normal and often get in our way. Take that feeling and lead with courage! Kim "KC" Campbell, Colonel, US Air Force (retired) speaks with Bob and Chad about this lesson and many other leadership skills we can all learn.   Get Kims Book: Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage ---------- Share your thoughts and takeaways in our Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/winmakegive    Part of the Win Make Give Podcast Network

Fear is as natural as unavoidable; we can't run from it, yet we can prepare ourselves to deal with it in the best way possible.This week, our guest, Colonel Kim "KC" Campbell, takes us right into the face of fear flying 1,000 miles per hour at 45,000 feet of altitude. In her soon-to-be-published book, "Flying in the Face of Fear," Kim narrates how facing the scariest situations as a fighter pilot transformed her views on leadership and teamwork. The inspiring colonel served in the Air Force as a fighter pilot and senior military leader for over 24 years. She is also a Keynote Speaker, a Best-Selling Author, and a Leader.We had a delightful conversation about Kim's experiences and learnings as an Air Force fighter pilot, vulnerability, and courage. We also talk about the moments of terror Kim lived under Bagdad's sky and how her training saved her.In addition, Kim shares her thoughts on fear, courage, how to be prepared for life's defining moments, and more.Some Questions I Ask:Please tell us about your background, including any turning points that have significantly impacted you (3:29)Could you tell us about some of your most memorable experiences in the Air Force? (9:15)In This Episode, You Will Learn:The Challenger's launch and how it impacted Kim's life (4:19)The longest 20 seconds in human history (10:01)About the importance of chair flying in every defining situation (17:41)We tend to be too harsh on ourselves (22:13)Why we should always act and lead with courage (29:01)Resources:Book: Col. Kim KC Campbell - Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with CourageConnect with Kim:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramTwitterBecoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best University WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: support@becomingyourbest.com Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this interview/podcast, Debra Kasowski talks with Retired Airforce Colonel Kim KC Campbell about her new book, Flying in the Face of Fear released on March 8, 2023. Kim talks about the importance of staying calm under pressure, the human side of leadership, and facing uncertainty.

Text Hawk to 66866 to become part of "Mindful Monday." Join 10's of thousands of your fellow learning leaders and receive a carefully curated email from me each Monday morning to help you start your week off right... Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12   https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12 Kim “KC” Campbell (KC = “Killer Chick”) is a retired Air Force Colonel who served in the Air Force for over 24 years. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was even awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission in Baghdad. Kim is the author of Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage. Notes: On January 28, 1986,  the challenger rocket exploded (killing all astronauts on board). On that day, Kim learned what it meant to serve something bigger than yourself. She decided she wanted to be an astronaut and serve something bigger than herself. A big influence in Kim's life was a high school teacher named Mrs. Kennett. She helped Kim on the speech and debate team. One of her arguments was about women being allowed to be combat pilots. Mrs. Kennett worked to create "power women." Response to Rejection: Initially Kim got rejected by the Air Force Academy because of a low SAT score. In response, instead of quitting and moving on, she wrote a letter to them every week stating why they should accept her... Which they eventually did. "The tough moments make you better." The initial rejection was a blessing in disguise. How to crush the interview process? Prepare... Walk through potential questions and rehearse your stories. Role play with a mentor. Be you. Be real. Be authentic Create a connection with all in the room. Look them in the eye. Be genuine. Like father, Like daughter — just before Kim's final year at the academy, she earned the position of Cadet Wing Commander. This is a position her dad held 25 years earlier. They were the first father-daughter wing commander duo in academy history. A woman in a man's world: When Kim started pilot training in 1999, there were 33 female fighter pilots in the Air Force. About 1% of fighter pilots. Kim's choice of airplane was the A10 WartHog. The airplane was designed first with the 30 mm Gatling gun on it in mind: capable of shooting 3,900 rounds per minute. The leader sets the culture. They decide what to create and what to allow. Kim was on a combat support mission in Baghdad when her airplane was hit. She had to make a split-second decision about whether to exit the aircraft behind enemy lines or try to fly it back to a safer area... Commanders intent - Your why is the way forward. You allow your team to take action and make decisions. "Explain the why. Explain the context. Let the lower level leaders make decisions and run with it." Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" speech resonates with Kim. "We feel fear and freeze. We can't let fear paralyze us. We need to take action in the face of fear. Remain calm. Acknowledge the fear and move forward."

Colonel Kim Campbell joins Yo to share her principles of leadership that can serve as a resource for all leaders. It's the kind of book you'll want to keep on your shelf to reference through-out your career. Each chapter ends with a section, Considerations for Leaders, which provide keys to being a courageous leader. We'll cover the April 7, 2003 mission and hear first-hand the decisions she's faced while remaining calm in the chaos. We'll also cover some of the steps she offers to lead others: · Turn into the wind and let it lift you. · Create a wingman culture. · Adopt a fighter pilot mindset and learn to fail forward. · Do the work. Be prepared to respond and adjust. · Be calm in the chaos. · Trust your team. · Take ownership of your actions. · Aviate, navigate and communicate. · Bring clarity and confidence in the face of uncertainty. · Show the human side of leadership. · Create your own flight plan. · Share your commander's intent. Amazon link to her book available March 8: Flying In The Face of Fear. More about Colonel Campbell: Kim Campbell is a retired Air Force Colonel who served in the Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission in Baghdad. As a senior military leader, Kim has led hundreds of Airmen both at home and abroad in deployed locations and enabled them to succeed in their missions. She has experience leading complex organizations and driving cultural change. Kim knows what it takes to be a successful leader, to inspire and empower high performance teams to achieve success. Kim is passionate about leadership and feels strongly that leaders earn trust by leading with courage and connecting with their team. How to reach Colonel Campbell and/or book her as a keynote speaker: https://kim-kc-campbell.com/ Ways to reach Yo: eMail yo@yocanny.com Public FB group: Girl, Take the Lead! https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748/?ref=share IG: https://www.instagram.com/yocanny LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yocanny/

In this episode, we have the pleasure of interviewing retired Air Force Colonel, Kim "KC" Campbell, a fighter pilot who served in the Air Force for over 24 years. During her service, she flew 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission in Baghdad. As a senior military leader, Kim led hundreds of Airmen both at home and abroad, and enabled them to succeed in their missions. She knows what it takes to be a successful leader, to inspire and empower high-performance teams to achieve success. Kim is passionate about leadership and feels strongly that leaders earn trust by leading with courage and connecting with their team. In this episode, Kim shares her combat experience and leadership lessons that will motivate and inspire your team to be more confident when faced with adversity or uncertainty. She provides practical ideas and examples to improve trust and help your team prepare to face challenges in their personal or professional lives. Kim emphasizes the importance of preparing, practicing, and planning for contingencies to ensure we are able to respond in the face of adversity. And if we make mistakes or fail, then we need to fail forward by learning from our mistakes and figuring out what we can do better the next time. Through her new book, Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage, Kim shares distinctive leadership techniques and principles different from what you might find in most leadership books. She teaches how to cultivate a wingman culture on your team, develop a fighter pilot mindset for failing forward and embracing risk, and create your own flight plan to find balance and fulfillment. Join us as Kim shares military combat stories and fighter pilot lessons learned that will provide the skills you need to prepare for adversity and debrief for success. The key takeaways from this episode are: Fear is a natural response to stress, and it's important to face it in order to come out stronger on the other side. Effective leadership involves building trust, showing vulnerability, and listening to team members at all levels. Visualizing, rehearsing, and practicing for difficult situations can help create positive outcomes. Leaders should strike a balance between a strong overarching mission and clear, achievable goals for each team member. Leaders should encourage a culture of constructive feedback and dissent, cultivate self-awareness and self-care, and foster a culture of mutual support and recognition. You can purchase Kim's book using the link below, https://amzn.to/3kwA4zq

Quote: Nelson Mandela once said: “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” Kim "KC" Campbell - "Fear can prevent us from achieving success or it can lead us to a greater path of growth and change if we harness it effectively." Your story: Mother and father...encouraging You developed a higher calling, higher purpose...? Air Force Academy, the first time that a father and daughter both served as cadet wing commander What values, principles about yourself, and others you admire are most valuable to you? The Flight - Bagdad What?!? A-10 got shot down the next day??? Launched on CSAR mission? Retirement August 2021... Leadership Lessons for us, our audience: Simultaneous fear and courage...you admit to fear. Leadership lessons for airline pilots now - going through tough negotiations, multiple near misses...trying times All of us can use these lessons with spouses, kids, friends, family. We all go through stuff! How did/do you balance being a wife, mother, Group CC, Entrepreneur, etc? As we get older and comfortable, having achieved things, how do we stretch ourselves??? How do I use your lessons in leadership and character with my kids? What are some of the failures you've learned the most from? Humility, courage, respect, balance. The greatest leadership attributes are courage, integrity and balance. Air Force Afterlife: What are you transitioning to in the business sector? Victory Strategies https://www.victory-strategies.com/#services-section Keynotes speaking, center for leadership and character development How do we create a culture of courage at our business? Links for show notes: @kchawg987 www.kim-kc-cambell.com Flying in the face of fear; a fighter pilot's lessons on leading with courage https://www.amazon.com/Flying-Face-Fear-Fighter-Lessons/dp/1394152353/ref=sr_1_1?crid=321E4AO1WBGRB&keywords=kc+campbell&qid=1676310099&sprefix=kc+cambell%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1  Aiming Higher: A Journey Through Military Aviation Leadership (Military Mentorship Mastermind Aiming Higher: https://www.amazon.com/Aiming-Higher-Leadership-MentorshipMastermind/dp/B0B1CP8G5X Victory Strategies: https://www.victory-strategies.com/#services-section 

How do you take action and lead with courage in the middle of fear? When you're scared of treading tough ground with your team, that's when you should prepare and take action to set yourself up for success. In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Kim Campbell, a retired Air Force Colonel who served in the Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission in Baghdad. She has experience leading complex organizations and driving cultural change. Kim is passionate about leadership and feels strongly that leaders earn trust by leading with courage and connecting with their team. Listen in to learn the importance of taking a step back in a critical situation and realize that you do have what it takes. You will also learn how to create a high-trust environment where people feel safe to share feedback and connect with you as a leader. Key Takeaways: Get your “step up voice” louder by preparing for failure and practicing some visualization techniques. How to be vulnerable and ask for support when needed to be the best leader you can be. How to show your team the human side of you to connect and create trust between you. The importance of taking a step back in a critical situation and realizing that you do have what it takes. Standout Quotes: “When we're vulnerable, we create an environment of trust, and people are more willing to give feedback and point out a problem.”- Kim [20:35] “In moments when you're feeling stressed or anxious, it's best to take that step back, take a deep breath, and realize that you do have what it takes.”- Kim [30:48] “It is okay to be afraid, it is okay to be scared, but you have to put yourself in a position to now take action.”- Kim [40:37] ⇢ Get full show notes and more information here: https://bit.ly/KImCampbell

Kim Campbell is a retired Air Force Colonel who served in the Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission in Baghdad.As a senior military leader, Kim has led hundreds of Airmen both at home and abroad in deployed locations and enabled them to succeed in their missions. She has experience leading complex organizations and driving cultural change. Kim knows what it takes to be a successful leader, to inspire and empower high performance teams to achieve success. Kim is passionate about leadership and feels strongly that leaders earn trust by leading with courage and connecting with their team.Check out Kim here:https://kim-kc-campbell.com/Today's sponsor:SAP Gear (Stately Asset Protection) https://SAPGEAR.comVeteran-owned company, Stately Asset Protection's retail store specializes in handmade and unique survivability products.Use the code “TEAM” for 15% off your order!https://SAPGEAR.comThanks for supporting the companies that support the show!To help support the show and for all bonus content including:-2 bonus episodes per month -Access to ALL bonus segments with our guests-Ad Free audio feedSubscribe to our Patreon!

“It's not the fear that matters; it's what you do when you are scared that matters.” Kim Campbell Today, Kim joins me to share her story and what she's learned from it. She shares why she decided to become a fighter pilot and talks about her experience as one of the few female fighter pilots […] The post Fighter Pilot Mindset with Kim “KC” Campbell appeared first on Ana Melikian, Ph.D..

Former A-10 Warthog pilot, Kim “KC” Campbell, shares what it was like to be selected to fly the Hog, flying training, firing the GAU-8 Avenger 30mm gun, strengths and weaknesses of the jet, and flying at Red Flag!"Aiming Higher" - https://militarymentorshipmastermind.com/index.htmlhttps://kim-kc-campbell.com/https://twitter.com/kchawg987Help keep the channel going:PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/aircrewinterviewDONATE - http://www.aircrewinterview.tv/donate/Purchase our Aviation Art Book, Volume One - https://amzn.to/3sehpaP Visit our online shop: https://www.redbubble.com/people/acinterview/shopFollow us:https://www.aircrewinterview.tv/https://www.instagram.com/aircrew_interviewhttps://www.facebook.com/aircrewinterviewhttps://www.twitter.com/aircrewtvSupport the show (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/aircrewinterview)

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.

Kim "KC" Campbell is an outstanding example of #bravery, #valor, #humility and #leadership kim served over 24 years in the United States Air Force as a combat-tested fighter pilot, retiring as a Colonel. She now begins the next chapter as a Speaker and #Leadership Coach with Victory Strategies. Connect On LinkedIn  Follow On IG YouTube  Join Our Newsletter ★

Today we hear the Combat Story of Kim “KC” Campbell, a retired Air Force Colonel and A-10 Fighter Pilot. NOTE: Combat Story is launching a Patreon account later this month. Sign-up here: https://www.combatstory.com/patreon Kim racked up over 1.8K flight hours in the Warthog; 375 of those in combat across more than 100 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. She also has one of the coolest call signs ever: Killer Chick. For anyone who's been on the ground and seen an A-10 on a gun run, you can understand why so many ground pounders love this platform. For Apache pilots, the A-10 is our fixed wing cousin and we feel a very close affinity with this incredible machine. Outside the cockpit, Kim led the Air Force Academy's Center for Character and Leadership Development and, since retiring, has carried that expertise to the private sector where she provides leadership development training and team engagement. She's also a keynote and motivational speaker. Kim, like many fighter pilots, is driven, dedicated, and successful. She's delivered rounds on target in heated battles and narrowly avoided death, including being hit with a Surface to Air Missile. I hope you enjoy this insightful Combat Story from the cockpit of THE Killer Chick as much as I did. Find Kim Online: Website LinkedIN Twitter @kchawg987 Ryan Online Information Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 1:01 - Guest introduction (Kim “KC” Campbell) 2:10 - Interview begins 2:46 - Origin of her fighter pilot call sign 7:30 - Early years and what enamored her with flight 12:55 - Why Air Force Academy? 18:18 - Choosing her aircraft 22:14 - Where she was on 911 and how it changed her training 24:43 - Going to Afghanistan immediately after training 27:23 - A quiet first combat mission in Afghanistan 34:48 - Firing from the A-10 for the first time 44:05 - Combat Story #1 - First kinetic operation in Iraq 50:30 - Combat Story #2 - The mission that was a defining moment 1:18:18 - Combat Story #3 - In combat as a flight lead 1:29:47 - Leadership development, team building, and powerful leadership advice 1:40:22 - What did you carry into combat? 1:44:31 - Would you do it all again? 1:46:07 - Listener comments and shout outs

Part of the mission of Forging Mettle is to provide an equal spotlight on strong female leaders; their seat at the table in the forge is vital to our revolution. In this podcast, we present our "Denver Startup Week" panel discussion with four of our former guests: Kim "KC" Campbell, Shannon Huffman Polson, Jannell MacAulay and Amy McGrath. This is a powerhouse panel of successful women, all with a military aviation background. We discuss important topics of leadership, and how to be successful in your chosen field. This is part 2 of 2. YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLbYvXrE6Ho

Part of the mission of Forging Mettle is to provide an equal spotlight on strong female leaders; their seat at the table in the forge is vital to our revolution. In this podcast, we present our "Denver Startup Week" panel discussion with four of our former guests: Kim "KC" Campbell, Shannon Huffman Polson, Jannell MacAulay and Amy McGrath. This is a powerhouse panel of successful women, all with a military aviation background. We discuss important topics of leadership, and how to be successful in your chosen field. This is part 1 of 2. YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLbYvXrE6Ho

What do you do when your aircraft is hit by enemy fire over Baghdad and your control inputs no longer function? You have 20 seconds to figure it out or you'll be forced to eject over enemy territory. This week we hear Colonel Kim "KC" Campbell tell the tale of her harrowing mission in 2003. She learned a lot about herself that day. She faced her fear with courage. Listen in as we talk about confidence, perseverance, preparation, assertiveness and authenticity. Show notes: Colonel Kim “KC” Campbell served in the Air Force for 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. Kim is a keynote speaker sharing her story about a life changing combat experience while weaving in ideas and lessons about leadership, teamwork, perseverance, and decision making in stressful environments. Kim has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. She is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Academy and has a Master of Arts in International Security Studies and a Master of Business Administration from the University of London. She has served as a Squadron Commander, Operations Group Commander, Air Force Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, and Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Most recently, Kim served as the Director for the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the United States Air Force Academy. In 2003, Colonel Campbell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission in Baghdad. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-kc-campbell/ https://twitter.com/kchawg987 https://www.athenasvoiceusa.com/kim-kc-campbell

This time on EAA's The Green Dot, we welcomed former A-10 pilot Col. Kim “KC” Campbell to the show to talk about what it's like to fly the Hog and her military career, including the act of bravery she displayed on April 7, 2003, which earned her the honorable Distinguished Flying Cross.

Stories are powerful!  Col "KC" Campbell has one of the most powerful, inspiring, and frightening stories I have ever heard. I appreciate her service, bravery and for trusting me with helping her tell the story as she, her Hawg, and her flight lead bravely supported friendly "troops in contact" in one the most dangerous parts of Iraq in 2003.  KC shares the impact this experience had on her as a person, an Airman, and a leader.  KC also talks about the leadership connection lessons she learned from running into a burning house with her Airmen, the power of empowerment and how work-life balance is a long-term endeavor. Thank you, KC!

Col Kim “KC” Campbell is an A-10 pilot, mother and Desert Storm vet who came under fire in Iraq. Her story is one of survival, teamwork, and quite simply, doing her job: to bring fire down on the enemy when our Army and Marine brothers and sisters request our assistance. You can read her incredible story at the link below: https://www.military.com/air-force/air-force-pilot-landed-damaged-10-warthog-using-only-cranks-and-cables.html