Air Force General Laura Lenderman: Being Part of Something Bigger Than Yourself
In this episode of the Up2 Podcast, host Adam Kaufman discusses leadership styles and how goal-setting never stops with Air Force General, Laura Lenderman. General Lenderman provides us with a real-time look into the impressive world of a military general. It’s not often we get to hear from active-duty officers in such a relaxed and honest conversation, but their 30-plus year friendship creates an enviable context for listeners who download this meaningful conversation.
General Lenderman shares details about her career, daily responsibilities, and her decision to join the Air Force. Adam and General Lenderman discuss key characteristics of leaders and the importance of listening, both in your personal and professional life.
“If you were asking me of my leadership philosophy, listening is number one. There's actually three Ls...it's not just listening with your ears, but listening for all the body language changes, looking in their eyes...listening to what's important to them, understanding their priorities, and then following up on our promises is critical here for success.”
Adam and General Lenderman had a lot to share on listening and its importance. Delving further into their similar leadership styles, Adam followed up with a phone call after the podcast to hear the second and third L’s in General Lenderman’s philosophy, which is included in the episode.
“The second L is love. As a leader, and even more so as a senior leader, I find that this quality is so important, just to love the individuals in your organization and to love your organization...The third L is lift up. For me, it's about being a positive leader.”
The last two L’s, love and lift up, were recurring themes throughout the discussion about General Lenderman’s promotions and command in her position. Adam returns to one of his favorite topics, the inevitable “Imposter’s Syndrome,” leaders often feel. General Lenderman talks about her journey to leadership, describing moments of doubt and not believing in herself. She shares her best advice to, “trust yourself” and the daily reminders she sets in her own life to do so.
“I bring something special, and it can be the things that you've mentioned already, the fact that I'm a woman, the fact that I'm a pilot, the fact that I listen. I'll bring whatever I bring, which is my strengths to the organization, and I won't discount them.”
Adam and General Lenderman unpack the difficult task of believing in yourself, and how to set reminders. Adam describes General Lenderman as a natural leader -- unlike others who might learn leadership skills. Together, they discuss born leaders and those who may bloom later in life. General Lenderman commends the military for allowing those to foster leadership and the reasons for her goals within the organization.
“There's the wonderful part about the military is you [can] grow into your leadership and you become a better leader over time. [Sometimes] this is their first opportunity, they'd never had a chance to be a leader. Then someone believes in them, gives them opportunities, puts them through training.”
General Lenderman and Adam agree that it is not just within the military that individuals can grow into leaders.
General Lenderman left the listeners with one last recommendation; to read the book, Letters to My Younger Self, which directly relates to her vision to trust yourself. To hear more from Adam and General Lenderman, a leader truly humble, click here to listen to his full episode on the Up2 Podcast or tune in wherever you listen to podcasts.
Click here to read the full episode transcript.