From Peaks to Purpose: A Narrative of Growth and Authenticity
Release Date: 04/29/2025
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...
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Mastering Human Performance for Lasting Success
The Grit Factor
This conversation explores the remarkable journey of a woman who transitioned from baton twirling to becoming a combat pilot and military leader. She shares her experiences in the military, the challenges she faced, and the importance of mental resilience and self-trust in high-stakes situations. The discussion also highlights the biases she encountered as a woman in a male-dominated field and how she navigated these challenges to achieve success. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the challenges faced by women in male-dominated fields, emphasizing the importance of excellence, mastery...
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Building Next-Generation Leaders: The Power of Experiential and Purposeful Education
The Grit Factor
Ross Wehner shares his journey of discovering and uncovering his purpose through experiences in Chile and teaching. He emphasizes the importance of following intuition and stepping into one's own story. Ross discusses the impact of traumatic events and the role of darkness in shaping purpose. He highlights the influence of philosophy, solitude, and fasting in gaining clarity. Ross also explains the mission of World Leadership School in partnering with K-12 schools to reimagine learning and create next-generation leaders. He advocates for purpose learning and the integration of thinking,...
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From Peaks to Purpose: A Narrative of Growth and Authenticity
The Grit Factor
In this conversation, Melissa Arnot Reid shares her experiences as a mountaineer and the lessons learned from her climbs, particularly on Everest. She discusses the internal struggles faced during high-stakes situations, the importance of team dynamics, and the journey to finding a sense of belonging. The conversation delves into the nature of leadership in perilous environments and the responsibilities that come with guiding others. Melissa emphasizes the significance of consistency, honesty, and understanding individual strengths within a team. In this conversation, Melissa Arnot Reid shares...
info_outlineIn this conversation, Melissa Arnot Reid shares her experiences as a mountaineer and the lessons learned from her climbs, particularly on Everest. She discusses the internal struggles faced during high-stakes situations, the importance of team dynamics, and the journey to finding a sense of belonging. The conversation delves into the nature of leadership in perilous environments and the responsibilities that come with guiding others. Melissa emphasizes the significance of consistency, honesty, and understanding individual strengths within a team. In this conversation, Melissa Arnot Reid shares her insights on leadership, personal values, and the challenges faced as a woman in the mountain guiding community. She emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, the evolution of success, and the impact of her nonprofit, the Juniper Fund, which supports families of high-altitude workers. The discussion highlights the significance of love, intent, and personal growth in both leadership and life.
TAKEAWAYS
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Climbing without supplemental oxygen exposes both physical and mental limits.
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The internal voice of doubt can be a source of discomfort that needs to be navigated.
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Team dynamics are crucial; each member brings unique strengths to the table.
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Belonging is a fundamental human need that can drive us to extreme challenges.
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Leadership in climbing involves significant responsibility for others' safety.
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Experiencing discomfort in nature can provide a sense of control over one's life.
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Having someone who believes in you can change your life trajectory.
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Leaders must confront the weight of their decisions and their impact on others.
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Consistency and honesty are essential traits for effective leadership.
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Understanding individual needs within a team enhances trust and collaboration. Leadership is a customized process that requires deep relationships.
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Operating from your values increases your chances of success as a leader.
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Self-reflection is essential for personal growth and leadership development.
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Love and connection are critical components of effective leadership.
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Intent behind actions significantly affects how they are received by others.
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Judging someone's capability based on appearance is misleading.
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Climbing Everest multiple times was necessary for recognition in a male-dominated field.
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Loss can create space for new opportunities and growth.
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You don't need to be perfect to be deserving of love and success.
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The journey of healing and self-acceptance is ongoing and transformative.
TITLES
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Climbing the Heights of Leadership
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The Power of Personal Values in Leadership
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Breaking Barriers: Women in Mountain Guiding
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Redefining Success Beyond Achievements
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The Heart of Leadership: Love and Connection
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