<p>From the cockpit to the boardroom, Shannon Huffman Polson shares stories of grit and leadership to help others overcome fear, break through uncertainty, and reach their full potential.</p><p>Shannon is a woman of many firsts. Among those high points: She is one of the first women to fly Apache combat helicopters in the U.S. Armed Forces, where she served on three continents and led two flight platoons and a line company.</p><p>After nearly a decade as an Army officer and attack aviation leader, and later as a leader and manager in the corporate sector at Guidant and Microsoft, Shannon turned her attention to storytelling, in part through her Grit Project blog and in her newest book. In <i>The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience and Leadership in the most Male Dominated Industry in the World</i> (2020), Shannon shares her own critical leadership lessons along with candid stories of remarkable female leaders and trailblazers. </p><p>Drawing on a distinguished military and corporate career, she reveals her lessons learned and leadership strategies to help you harness your own inner strength, move beyond resistance, and attain your goals. With an emphasis on grit – which she describes as “a dogged determination in the face of difficult circumstances” – she demonstrates how to tap into that passion and resolve so you can face your limitations, own your sense of purpose, and become a leader of greatness. </p>
One of the first U.S. Army Women Apache Helicopter Captains and Pilots, Author of <em>North of Hope</em> and <em>The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience and Leadership in the most Male Dominated Industry in the World</em> (2020)
<ul><li><strong>The Grit Factor</strong></li><li>Step into the world of leadership and peak performance with "The Grit Factor” by one of the first women to fly the Apache helicopter, a corporate leader and an author, Shannon Huffman Polson. Based on her proprietary Grit Triad framework from her award winning book, "The Grit Factor," this keynote delves into stories from the cockpit, as well as the science and strategies behind grit, resilience, and the mindsets necessary for success. Ending with the courage of ownership, this keynote is for leaders at every level preparing to lead with passion in the midst of change. Unlock the transformative potential of "The Grit Factor," equipping your teams to conquer challenges, adapt, and achieve lasting excellence. </li><li><strong>Paths to Purpose</strong></li><li>In researching The Grit Factor, Army aviator and corporate leader Shannon Huffman Polson’s research demonstrated that individuals who align their personal purpose with their professional roles experience greater job satisfaction, longevity, and heightened performance. Moreover, this purpose-driven approach isn't just about career success; it's deeply connected to mental and physical well-being, contributing to reduced stress and increased overall happiness. A transformative journey that will not only empower you to discover your individual purpose but also equip you— and your company--to succeed in every dimension of potential.</li><li><strong>The Power of Mindset</strong></li><li>Unleash the potential of The Power of Mindset in your company with renowned keynote speaker and author Shannon Huffman Polson. Bringing her experience as a military pilot and corporate leader, Polson introduces four approaches to mindset that will transform the way your people and your company approach challenge, increasing resilience and adaptability in an ever changing world. </li><li><strong>Leading with Story</strong></li><li>The most influential leaders understand the extraordinary impact of storytelling on their organizations. "Leading with Story” offers both example and tactical tips to understand and use the profound influence of narrative in leadership. Learn how the skill of storytelling can transform your leadership style, strengthen team cohesion, and influence positive outcomes in the dynamic corporate landscape, and leave equipped with the tools to reshape your approach, lead with impact, and harness the true power of storytelling.</li></ul>