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Thirty Minute Mentors

Episode 241: Lieutenant General Mary O'Brien

Aug 20, 2024
Lieutenant General Mary O'Brien, a trailblazer in military leadership and modernization, shares her inspiring journey from the Air Force Academy to high-ranking positions. She discusses turning rejection into opportunity, emphasizing persistence and resilience. O’Brien highlights the importance of self-awareness and accountability in leadership, and the need for effective communication tailored to diverse teams. She also reflects on cultivating innovation through aligned individual strengths and the power of feedback in fostering growth.
37:26

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Quick takeaways

  • Lieutenant General O'Brien emphasizes the importance of persistence in overcoming obstacles, highlighting that rejections can offer opportunities for solutions.
  • Effective leadership requires self-awareness and understanding team dynamics, as diverse strengths foster innovation and collaborative success within high-performing teams.

Deep dives

The Power of Persistence

General O'Brien's journey into the Air Force showcases the importance of persistence in the face of obstacles. After facing setbacks related to a hearing test, she leveraged the opportunity to ask for a waiver, demonstrating that rejection does not always mean the end of the road. This experience instilled in her a key lesson: it's not over until it’s over, and having a mindset of searching for solutions is crucial. O'Brien encourages others to embrace a similar perspective, emphasizing that many 'no' responses may simply mean 'not yet,' pushing individuals to seek alternative paths to success.

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