Facing the Wind
By The Grit Institute
Tune in Tuesdays for new conversations, and make sure to leave your questions for Shannon at www.speakpipe.com/TheGritFactor
Facing the WindJun 16, 2022
Living Fearlessly: Overcoming Obstacles and Finding Joy in the Journey with Siri Lindley
Today’s episode with Siri Lindley is an inspiring conversation about overcoming fear, achieving success, and living fearlessly. Siri Lindley is a two-time world champion triathlete, winner of twelve ITU World Cup races, an inspirational, energetic life coach and one of Tony Robbins’ 10 favorite motivational speakers.With an infectious & authentic passion, she empowers audiences to strive for peak performance, and to work through and ultimately conquer the demons of fear and self-doubt. In late 2019, Siri faced her most difficult battle yet when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Despite being given less than a 10% chance of survival at the time of her diagnosis, she was pronounced cancer-free by her doctors in May of 2020. In the episode, Lindley shares her personal journey as a former professional triathlete and coach, and discusses her unique coaching style that emphasizes a holistic approach to training and personal development. Throughout the episode, Polson and Lindley delve into topics such as resilience, mental toughness, and finding joy in the process of pursuing one's goals. Listeners will come away from this episode feeling inspired and empowered to tackle their own challenges and achieve their own goals.
Visit her online here:
Siri Lindley https://siri.siriandbek.com/
Believe Ranch and Rescue: https://www.believeranchandrescue.org/
Siri’s forthcoming book:
https://bookshop.org/p/books/finding-a-way-taking-the-impossible-and-making-it-possible-siri-lindley/19259090?aid=15754&ean=9781637587928&listref=recommended-on-the-grit-factor-podcast
People and Processes: Overcoming 85% of all Problems with Lisa Gable
A keynote speaker and writer on partnership, mentorship, diversity, and relationship building, Lisa Gable’s mission is to support the next generation of leaders and organizations that are solving the world’s biggest problems. She is a five-time award-winning Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author and recognized as an innovative global businesswoman who leads with discipline and diplomacy. In addition to her multiple corporate roles, including CEO, Lisa has served US Presidents and Governors, as well as a US Ambassador and UN Delegate.
Over the course of her career, Lisa has been called to turnaround failing organizations—businesses, teams, nonprofits, political campaigns, and government projects—to solve seemingly intractable problems. She has learned that the key to course-correcting when things go South is applying process engineering—strategically evaluating everything your organization does and how it does it—with authority and humanity.
Her work has carried her to dozens of conferences and events where she has met with global leaders, spent time with some of the world’s largest manufacturers and their employees and executives, 52 US military installations interviewing over 1,000 military personnel, engaged with local Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Girl Scouts of the USA to better understand the needs of America’s youth, and met with representatives of over 200 nations through her service as a democracy advocate.
Watch today and learn some funny stories about working at the white house, and take some time to discuss what she has learned through her hardships.
Read her book
As well as visit lisagable.com.
Get Smart with your Emotions: Understanding your Feelings with Breda McCague
Breda McCague works as a Transformation Professional within the Finance industry working with people from all over the globe. McCague joined the Irish Reserve Defence Forces at the age of 17 and went on to become her unit’s first Female Lieutenant. She has continued in positions of leadership across the Corporate world ever since.
McCague is Co-Founder of Lean-In Ireland and runs events for women and men teaching them how to practice peer mentoring to develop each other’s careers and life journeys. She is an accredited ECR coach in Emotional Intelligence. Breda is on a mission to teach and inspire others on how to understand themselves better. She loves to share her passion through educating others on understanding emotions and decision making so that they can become the best emotionally regulated Leaders across their societies, communities and work environments. Breda was awarded the Women of the Year title in the Women in Finance Ireland Awards for 2021. She plays in a rock band and has 3 children.
Take a Bigger Look: Learning from Perspective with Astronaut Sunita Williams
Sunita Lyn Williams is an American astronaut and United States Navy officer who formerly held the records for most spacewalks by a woman (seven) and most spacewalk time for a woman (50 hours, 40 minutes). Williams was assigned to the International Space Station as a member of Expedition 14 and Expedition 15. In 2012, she served as a flight engineer on Expedition 32 and then commander of Expedition 33.
In this episode, we talk about her memories of being in space and the feelings that still remain to this day. We also draw a couple parallels to the Covid lockdowns to space travel, and the certain benefits that come with close proximity to others for long periods of time.
Overcoming Obstacles with Katie Cook: The First Woman Blue Angel Pilot
Katie Cook is from Severna Park, Maryland, and graduated from W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax, VA in 2004. She attended the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 2008. Katie continued her education at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. and graduated with a Masters of Arts in International Security in 2009. In February 2017, Katie reported for duty as the Airfield Operations Company Commander with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina. During her time in the fleet, Katie has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours, including 400 in combat. Her decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, five Air Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various personal and unit awards. In August 2019, Katie transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserve and currently works as a Senior Director of Operational Excellence for Global Public Sector at Salesforce. Watch now and learn what it takes to thrive in a world you are not comfortable in and learn to make the most out of the situation you're in.
Mentoring Matters: Expert Lisa Fain Weighs in on Making it Work
Mentorship comes up again and again any time we run into challenges, but it’s really a critical ingredient for success at all times. Whether it’s veterans transitioning to corporate, someone taking a new position, or planning for future contribution, mentorship plays a key role. The senior leaders I interviewed while researching for The Grit Factor all attribute mentorship in one or usually many kinds to their success.
That’s why I’m so excited to talk with Lisa Fain today. I met Lisa through a women’s business organization several years ago, where we discovered we were both speaking at an event in California, and we’ve stayed connected ever since. Lisa is the CEO of Center for Mentoring Excellence, and an expert in the intersection of cultural competency and mentoring. Her personal and professional goals were met when she realized she wanted to help people mutually learn and grow from one another. In this episode, we discuss the importance of establishing the proper mentoring relationship and the rules that come along with it. (Minute 16:45) As well as some pro tips for goal setting, career advancement, and setting up the perfect workplace.
BOOKS & RESOURCES
Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring
www.centerformentoring.com
Leading from the Front: the Mind of a Marine with Courtney Lynch
Courtney has found success by living her life as a leader. Notable achievements include her nine years of service as a Marine Corps officer, managing a top-notch sales team for Rational Software, earning her law degree at William & Mary, practicing at one of the nation’s leading law firms, and creating Lead Star (www.leadstar.us) -- a premier leadership development consulting firm that works globally with leading organizations. She has also served as an elected official and recently spent time living in the UK during which she served as Chief Operating Officer of a rapidly scaling technology company. Beyond Courtney’s government and corporate accomplishments, she is a business owner, thought leader, and New York Times best-selling author of Spark, Bet on You, and Leading from the Front. Her success has been recognized throughout her professional career, but most recently she was awarded the National Stevie Award for Best Female Entrepreneur and BusinessWeek profiled her achievements as a leadership expert. A dynamic guest on CNBC, FOX News, and CNN, Courtney’s efforts with Lead Star have been noted in publications ranging from Harvard Business Review and Fast Company to The Financial Times. Courtney is married to Patrick Lynch and is the proud mother of three children. She resides in the Washington, DC area.
In this podcast we discuss:
Courtney’s seemingly unusual path to the Marines and her start in her career (7:12)
The importance of authenticity and the origins of the theming in Courtney’s book (12:37)
The social influence that comes with a leadership role and how finance is not the only factor. (19:10) And the correlation between risk-taking and leadership. (32:32)
Books: Spark, Bet on You, and Leading from the Front
Website: Leadstar.us
As we get started, why not hit subscribe to be sure you never miss an episode? And remember to leave a review – it helps others find us!
Leading The Caretakers: Bishop Gretchen Rehberg
I’m so grateful for this conversation today with Bishop Gretchen Rehberg, a truly extraordinary person, who happens to be our bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane, a diocese with a massive and politically polarized territory including 38 different congregations. She may also be the bishop with the most unusual background…with her PhD in Chemistry, she taught organic Chemistry at Bucknell University, and served her community as an EMT and firefighter. While at seminary, Gretchen was on the ground for 9-11 and shares her story from that terrible day, and its direct impact on her in the years to follow. I’m grateful for the opportunity to know and learn from Bishop Rehberg over several years. We’re going to talk today about leadership of a large and diverse community, what to do about burnout in organizations, and what grit means to her after September 11th. Bishop Rehberg is candid, open and honest, and often funny. She is passionate about proclaiming the inclusive love of God and equipping the people of God for transformation and growth. Christian formation for all ages is of vital importance to Gretchen, and she stresses the need for both rigorous engagement and the need for openness and humility in learning.
Website: The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane
As we get started, why not hit subscribe to be sure you never miss an episode? And remember to leave a review– it helps others find us!
Inclusion on Purpose— a different understanding of DEI with Ruchika Tulshyan
A number of years ago, Ruchika and I met at the rehearsal for a Seattle Ignite event, and it’s been just fantastic to stay connected and watch her trajectory ever since! I’m so grateful to welcome her on to Facing the Wind, shere we talk about diversity and leadership.
Ruchika is a passionate advocate and speaker for amplifying the voices of women in the workplace. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Time and Bloomberg, among other publications. Ruchika has most recently been a guest of Brene Brown’s and contributed to BigThink.
Diversity is key to a company’s success and bottom line– and yet women are leaving the workforce in higher numbers than ever before. That’s one of many reasons this conversation is so important. In this episode, we’ll discuss the difference in personality and behavior that takes place before and after the ego is developed. We also talk about ways society has trained us to rely solely on other’s expectations (minute 11), and how to break the mentality.
In this episode, we discuss the difference in personality and behavior that takes place before and after the ego is developed. We also talk about ways society has trained us to rely solely on other’s expectations (minute 11), and how to break the mentality.
As we get started, why not hit subscribe to be sure you never miss an episode? And remember to leave a review– it helps others find us!
Books Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work And The Diversity Advantage: Fixing Gender Inequality in the Workplace
When to GRIT and when to Quit: A Story of Big Law and Changing the Understanding of Grit with Amy Conway-Hatcher
Amy Conway-Hatcher is a fierce advocate, lawyer, Board director, warrior career mom, and former federal prosecutor. After decades of managing 24/7 crises, climbing to the upper echelons of Big Law, and sacrificing family for career, Amy did the unthinkable. She left her high-paying equity partner job and an unsustainable climb...to reclaim her life.
Amy wrote Infinitely More to shine a spotlight on systemic workplace inequities that hold women back. Through witty and darkly humorous story-telling, Amy challenges leaders to take bolder actions to fix uneven playing fields, while advocating for women to stand firmly in control of their careers. She firmly believes that by sharing our stories, opening our eyes, and being brave enough to have hard conversations, #wecandobetter.
Today, a partner in a boutique law firm specializing in complex legal problems, Conway-Hatcher thrives as an advocate, author, speaker, and mom of teens. All proceeds of her book are being donated to organizations that support women and girl leaders of the future.
BOOK: Infinitely More
We talk about the difficulties in navigating the role as team leader in a male dominated workplace (minute 14) and balancing time between family and business (minute 20).
Give yourself the gift of listening in to our conversation— and forward it along to whoever might enjoy or benefit!
A Corporate Leader with Veteran Values: Tina Morris
This Veteran’s Day, we’re happy to release this special episode with Tina Morris, a graduate of West Point, veteran of the United States Army’s military police corps, and now senior corporate leader. Tina talks about the values and ideas she brought to her twenty year tenure at S&P from her time in uniform.
We talk about the difficulties in navigating the role as team leader, like holding those accountable while growing a healthy working relationship (minute 22).
Give yourself the gift of listening in to our conversation— and forward it along to whoever might enjoy or benefit!
Honor Bound: Marine Amy McGrath takes on a new challenge
Amy Melinda McGrath is a retired US Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel raised in Kentucky. McGrath was the first woman to fly a combat mission for the Marine Corps, as well as the first to pilot the F/A-18 on a combat mission. She is also a political candidate from Kentucky, and author. Her book is titled Honor Bound: An American Story of Dreams and Service
In this episode, we talk about the overall change in politics over the years, and how the average person is affected though mainstream news and media. We also talk about ways the war has been marketed towards citizens (minute 33), and what the future may hold for democracy.
Give yourself the gift of listening in to our conversation— and forward it along to whoever might enjoy or benefit!
BOOKS & RESOURCES
Honor Bound, by Amy McGrath. https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9780525659105
American SOS Project (link here https://americansos.org)
Invisible Storm, Jason Candor. https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9780358658962
Season 2 Coming Soon
Subscribe to be the first to listen!
Alone, Unarmed and Unafraid: Merryl Tengesdal, the only African American woman U2 pilot
From burnout to thriving: Leigh Burgess
Just Like You: What makes RAF Tornado pilot Mandy Hickson fly
Just Like You: Mandy Hickson was one of the first women to fly the Tornado in the Royal Air Force, and flew combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. I talk to her about what motivated her as an ambassador today, what she worked through in her time in the RAF, the power and challenge of teams, and what she thought of the new Top Gun! And we laugh a lot. Hope you enjoy!
United States Marine Corps LtGen Lori Reynolds: Hard earned lessons from one of the first women to earn 3 Stars
LtGen Reynolds talks candidly about leading Marines from an unexpected challenge, to combat deployments and finally commanding the newly formed Marine Corps Cyber. Sharing what inspired her from an early age, to what leaders need to do to ensure the best results in today’s world, this conversation is one for every leader, but come with a notepad. You won’t want to miss, or forget, a thing.
Shaye Haver and Kristen Greist: Historical leadership from the Front
CPT Shaye Haver and CPT Kristen Greist are the two first women to graduate as U.S. Army Rangers and become Infantry Officers. In this conversation, they offer inspiration and practical takeaways for all of us. Though both West Pointers, Haver and Greist came from different backgrounds and motivations. In this interview we talk about what directed them toward the unique opportunity and challenge of Ranger School, what they did to prepare, and how they faced failure and disappointment. This opportunity to hear from both exceptional leaders is not one to miss.
Deidre Paknad: Innovating with Grit and Heart
Deidre Paknad is the Co-founder and CEO of Workboard, Inc. She has founded and led three tech startups, acquired companies and been acquired, and led a high-growth business as an executive at IBM for several years. Deidre has over a dozen patents and has twice been inducted into the Smithsonian Institution for innovation. Goldman Sachs named her one of the 100 most intriguing entrepreneurs of 2019. In this episode, Deidre and I talk about how tragedy shaped her life and work, her biggest challenge with grit (it might surprise you), what she learns from sports, and how taking care of your people has been the same and different over the last few years.
Team Unbroken: The forging of purpose
Building For Success: Leadership through the lens of the Navy’s most senior women engineer
The World Champion Mindset with Olympian Adeline Gray
Thunder Run: The power of preparation with A-10 pilot and Colonel Kim “KC” Campbell (ret)
Breaking Ice and Breaking Glass with Vice Admiral Sandra Stosz (ret)
