Inclusion on Purpose— a different understanding of DEI with Ruchika Tulshyan
Release Date: 12/15/2022
Sarah McArthur on Frances Hesselbein: Leadership, Mentorship, and Service
The Grit Factor
Guest Bio is an accomplished editor, writer, and leadership thinker. She worked for over two decades alongside renowned executive coach Marshall Goldsmith, serving as managing editor on dozens of leadership books and co-authoring several works. Sarah was also mentored by the late —one of the most influential leadership figures of the 20th century—becoming a close collaborator and friend. Today, Sarah continues to preserve and share Frances’s legacy through writing, editing, and storytelling. Host is a former Apache helicopter pilot, corporate veteran, keynote speaker, and author of ....
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Radical Humility: Urs Koenig on Leading with Grit, Heart, and High Standards
The Grit Factor
Guest Bio / Introduction Urs Koenig is a leadership coach, keynote speaker, former NATO peacekeeping commander, and ultra-endurance athlete. With an eclectic background spanning UN peacekeeping missions, military command, competitive cycling, academia, and business coaching, Urs brings a rare blend of lived experience and research-backed insight to leadership. His award-winning book, Radical Humility, challenges the outdated “heroic” leadership model and offers a compelling framework for blending high performance with humanity. Episode Summary In this episode of The Grit...
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Uncolonized Power: Healing Mindsets, Embracing Purpose, and Rising Together with Valeria Aloe
The Grit Factor
Professional Summary Valeria Aloe is an award-winning author, speaker, and high-performance business coach who founded the Rising Together movement to help professionals unlearn limiting mindsets and build the clarity, confidence, and behaviors needed to reach their next level. Her signature work combines mindset transformation with applied behavior change to accelerate individual and team performance. Born in Argentina, Valeria was the first in her family to graduate from college. She holds undergraduate degrees in Finance and Business Administration and later pursued graduate studies in the...
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Conviction, Capital & Courage: Alexander Friedman on Purposeful Leadership in a High-Stakes World
The Grit Factor
Host: Shannon Huffman Polson Guest: Alexander Friedman, CEO & Co‑founder of Novata; former CFO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; former CIO of UBS; ex‑White House Fellow; board member at Franklin Templeton Episode Summary Join Shannon as she interviews Alexander Friedman, a leader who has navigated high-stakes roles across the highest levels of philanthropy, finance, government, and now tech. In this episode, Alex shares insights into operationalizing purpose, driving change across complex systems, and forging a career of conviction and curiosity. This conversation brings...
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The Blueprint for Thriving People and Teams: Belonging, Autonomy, and Purpose
The Grit Factor
What does it look like to lead with grit, purpose, and a fierce sense of responsibility—across the battlefield, boardroom, and home? On this week’s episode of The Grit Factor, I speak with Kiwi phenom Ellen Joan Ford—a former New Zealand Army officer, tech leader, mother, and fierce advocate for Work School Hours. Ellen’s story is one of extraordinary service, from deploying with the U.S. military to evacuating Afghan allies during the fall of Kabul, to now challenging the structural norms that leave working parents (especially mothers) behind. We talk about: • How military...
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Jim Weber’s Long-Term Vision: Building a Brand That Lasts
The Grit Factor
What does it look like to lead with purpose and performance — to stay true to your values while building something that lasts? I so enjoyed talking with fellow alum , longtime CEO of , for a conversation about leadership, grit, and building a brand rooted in conviction. Jim took the helm at Brooks when the company was on the verge of bankruptcy — and through a relentless focus on purpose, customer obsession, and culture, he helped lead it to become a billion-dollar brand. He did all of this while navigating a personal cancer diagnosis — a chapter that deepened his...
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Building Resilient Communities: Killian Noe’s Vision of Love, Leadership, and Recovery
The Grit Factor
In this conversation, Killian Noe discusses her journey through leadership, resilience, and community work, emphasizing the importance of personal growth, accountability, and the power of forgiveness. She reflects on her upbringing, experiences in diverse communities, and the founding of Recovery Cafe, highlighting the significance of beauty in healing and the need for loving accountability in organizations. The dialogue explores the balance between control and surrender in leadership, the role of community in personal transformation, and practical steps for engaging in social change. ...
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The Core Principles of Building Evergreen Companies: The Seven P’s Framework
The Grit Factor
In this conversation, Shannon Huffman Polson and Dave discuss the importance of purpose and values in leadership and entrepreneurship. Dave shares his early career experiences at Hewlett Packard, the challenges he faced while founding Good Technology, and the profound impact of Joseph Campbell's hero's journey on his perspective. He introduces the concept of evergreen companies, which prioritize long-term sustainability over rapid growth, and outlines the seven P's that define these companies. The discussion emphasizes the need for a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who share these...
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Soaring Beyond Limits: The Fight for Women in Military Flight
The Grit Factor
In this conversation, Dr. Eileen Bjorkman shares her remarkable journey in aviation, highlighting the evolution of women's roles in the military and her personal experiences as a flight test engineer. She discusses her family's aviation legacy, the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, and the leadership lessons she learned throughout her career. Dr. Bjorkman's insights provide a unique perspective on resilience, communication, and the importance of representation in STEM fields. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the themes of leadership, storytelling, and the...
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Unlocking the Cockpit: Powerful Lessons in Leadership and Legacy
The Grit Factor
In this conversation, Shannon Huffman Polson and Tom discuss the importance of service, personal journeys, and the impact of role models. Tom shares his experiences in aviation, his humanitarian efforts, and the ongoing project to honor his fallen classmate, John Connors. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of community, learning, and active participation in democracy. In this conversation, Tom and Shannon explore the themes of community, legacy, purpose, leadership, and success. They discuss the importance of role models and the impact of legacy on individuals and communities. Tom shares...
info_outlineA 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.
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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