Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell '97 - Facing Fear, Leading with Courage

A-10 Warthog pilot and combat veteran, Col. (Ret.) Kim “KC” Campbell ’97, recounts an incident over Baghdad leading her to make a decision that changed her life then and informs how she leads to this day.

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SUMMARY

Kim shares her leadership journey, from overcoming resistance to pursuing her dreams to describing the life changing effect one very long hour had in the cockpit of her A-10. She emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and professional development throughout one's career. She discusses the challenges of balancing life and leading, and the lessons she learned from failures and pushing outside her comfort zone. She shares the importance of having a wingman who supports you in both personal and professional aspects of life.

 

OUR FAVORITE QUOTES

"Any leader that isn't working to be better and trying to develop themselves along the way, is probably going to hit an endpoint at some point. We have to constantly learn to improve and adapt and it requires work. Leadership requires work."

"When I started out, I had this idea that leadership was like, put on this tough exterior, have the answers, be strong and credible and capable.”

"I absolutely think leadership requires work. It's not easy. There are challenges, there are things to learn, things to adapt. It's just constantly one of those things that professional development, for me is something that should continue throughout your career throughout your life, always looking for new ways."

"I think one of the things that really sticks out to me that we learned as cadets is the idea of having a wingman by your side personally, professionally. Someone that will have your back someone that will support you."

"If you want something, you're going to have to work for it. And it's not going to be easy."

 - Col. (Ret.) Kim "KC" Campbell '97

 

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CHAPTERS

00:00:  Continuous Improvement and Professional Development 03:52:  Overcoming Resistance and Pursuing Dreams 06:36:  Lessons from Running Cross-Country 08:58:  Persistence and Overcoming Rejection 13:02:  Leadership Journey at the Air Force Academy 15:17:  Finding Passion and Purpose in the A-10 16:14:  Life-Changing Moment in Baghdad 19:51:  Lessons and Vulnerability in Writing a Book 22:09:  Balancing Life and Leadership 26:14:  Leadership Development and Growth 28:37:  Authenticity and Human Connection in Leadership 32:16:  Family's Influence on Leadership 36:58:  Learning from Failure and Pushing Outside Comfort Zone 41:11:  Building Human Connections and Getting to Know People 42:34:  The Importance of Having a Wingman 43:31:  The Importance of Having a Wingman 43:59:  How to Get in Touch 44:30:  Connect with Kim 44:55:  Feedback and Connection 45:26:  The Story Behind the Call Sign 45:54:  Book Title and Conclusion

 

OUR FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS

 - Leadership requires continuous improvement and professional development.  - Overcoming resistance and pursuing dreams are essential in leadership.  - Balancing life and leadership is a challenge that requires flexibility and grace.  - Building human connections and having a wingman for support are crucial in leadership.

 

KIM'S BIO

Kim “KC” Campbell is a retired Colonel who served in the Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Af