In this episode of Beyond the Blue Badge, host Lora Poepping talks with Shannon Huffman Polson about her amazing journey that took, well… a lot of grit. She grew up in Alaska, became the youngest woman to climb Denali, became the first female attack helicopter pilot in the army, did a three-plus year tour at Microsoft, and went on to become an author and speaker to share her leadership lessons. Her book, “The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience and Leadership in the Most Male-Dominated Organization in the World,” is available September 8.
Growing up in Alaska: Early lessons in grit from the soccer pitch to Army ROTC
Flying high: Becoming one of the first women to fly the Apache attack helicopter in the Army and flying missions on three separate continents.
Sir. Yes, sir: When your superior tells you no, find another way to make your dreams come true.
Talking business: Applying for business school from Kuwait and starting classes right before 9/11.
Building your team: Self-reliance isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
A lasting legacy: Spearheading a $5 million capital campaign to build a library.
Leadership requires grit: Some leaders don’t set out to become leaders. However, because they exercised grit and persevered, they became leaders.
Pick your purpose and pick up the pen: Drill down to your core purpose, learn, build your team, hoe your skills, be audacious, authentic and adaptable.
Putting down roots: Making a home in the Pacific Northwest after years of moving and finding a home at Microsoft where she could optimize her talents.
Out of tragedy: Finding empathy and understanding from the most unexpected places set the stage that allowed her to be “exceptional.”
Listen to your eight-year-old self: Coming full circle to be a writer.
Moving on isn’t quitting: If you are working in a place that is not authentic to who you are, that might be a good indicator that it is time to move on.
Shut up and listen: Great leaders know that listening – as much an art as a skill — is imperative.
Shannon Huffman Polson is a Microsoft alum, Army veteran, speaker and author.
Shannon Huffman Polson’s new book hits shelves September 8.
Learn More:
The official “Grit Factor” virtual launch is Sept. 8 at 4:30 p.m. (Pacific). Learn more and register here.
For other opportunities to hear Shannon speak, check out her website.
To learn how to order your copy of “The Grit Factor” and Shannon’s other books, go to Shannon’s website.