A Bit of Optimism Does Gender Change How We Lead? with Retired Colonel DeDe Halfhill
154 snips
Mar 18, 2025 
DeDe Halfhill, a retired Air Force colonel with 25 years of experience advising senior military leaders, shares her unique insights on leadership shaped by gender dynamics. She discusses the emotional labor that defines effective leadership, revealing how perceptions of male vs. female leaders vary. DeDe reflects on her challenges in a male-dominated military and the loneliness that can accompany leadership roles. She emphasizes the importance of mental fitness, vulnerability, and empathy in fostering strong, resilient teams.
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Cocoa Puffs and Dismissal
- DeDe Halfhill, upon taking command in Iraq, faced Cocoa Puffs struggles and felt dismissed by a captain.
- This anecdote highlights the challenges she faced as a female leader in a male-dominated environment.
Flirting Accusation
- A superior officer suggested DeDe Halfhill used flirting to achieve her goals, which she denied.
- This anecdote sparked a discussion about how perceptions of "flirting" can differ.
Flirting vs. Professionalism
- Defining "flirting" is difficult, and behaviors perceived as such can be essential for certain professions.
- Halfhill argues that women may be more practiced in behaviors like communication and collaboration, not necessarily better.
