085: Vulnerability and Curiosity: DeDe Halfhill’s Secrets to Leading with Authenticity

Evolve: A New Era of Leadership

In this episode of Evolve: A New Era of Leadership, I’m joined by DeDe Halfhill, a distinguished retired Air Force colonel, leadership consultant, and coach. DeDe shares her remarkable journey through 25 years of military service, including her pivotal moments in leadership that shaped her career and personal growth. As a former senior advisor to the Department of Defense and a commander of Air Force bases, DeDe offers profound insights on authentic leadership, vulnerability, and personal transformation.

DeDe’s extensive military experience has been widely recognized, with Brené Brown describing her as one of her leadership heroes. Throughout the episode, DeDe talks candidly about her struggles and triumphs as a leader, including a transformational moment in Iraq when she realized the power of embracing her authentic self in leadership. This episode is filled with invaluable lessons on leadership, personal growth, and how to navigate the emotional complexities of leading in high-pressure environments.

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways:

• Embracing Authenticity in Leadership: DeDe emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself as a leader and the impact it has on effectiveness and team morale. She shares her personal journey from trying to meet external expectations to fully embracing who she is as a leader. 🔥

• The Emotional Component of Leadership: Drawing from her military experience, DeDe highlights how essential it is to address the emotional side of leadership. She reflects on the challenges of managing large teams in high-stress environments and how vulnerability and self-compassion play a critical role. 🌟

• The Power of Curiosity: A major turning point in DeDe’s leadership approach was learning the value of curiosity—asking questions and empowering others to find their own solutions. This shift, she explains, is key to unlocking the full potential of a team and fostering creativity and collaboration. 💡

• Leading Through Complexity: DeDe discusses her time commanding Air Force bases and how leading in complex, high-stakes situations required her to develop new strategies and trust her team. She shares how she navigated these situations by creating a safe space for creativity and innovation. 🏆

We talk about:

• 00:00 Intro

• 01:21 DeDe's Military Background and Leadership Experience

• 06:21 The Turning Point in Iraq

• 20:40 Leadership at Barksdale Air Force Base

• 27:23 Leaving the Military: A Tough Decision

• 30:06 Leadership and Emotional Intelligence

• 31:39 The Hard Skills of Leadership

• 38:10 Combining Head, Heart, and Body in Leadership

• 45:44 Practical Tips for Emotional Management

#AuthenticLeadership #MilitaryLeadership #CuriosityInLeadership #SelfCompassion #LeadershipDevelopment

Connect with DeDe

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dedehalfhill/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dedehalfhill/

• https://www.dedehalfhill.com/

Connect with me

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolynswora/

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• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynswora/

• Website: https://www.carolynswora.com/

• Contact: [e-mail]