Episode 223: Facing Fear and Leading with Courage: Lessons from Fighter Pilot and Leadership Expert, KC Campbell

In this episode of Heroes of Reality, Dylan Watkins sits down with KC Campbell, a retired Air Force colonel, fighter pilot, and leadership expert. KC shares her remarkable journey, including her experience flying the A-10 Warthog in over 100 combat missions and the lessons learned along the way. She opens up about how these high-stakes situations shaped her approach to leadership, decision-making, and facing fear head-on.

KC discusses:

Combat Lessons in Leadership: How flying combat missions provided the framework for making difficult decisions in both life and business.

The Power of Visualization: How "chair flying" and mental preparation can reduce fear and lead to success, whether in combat or in the boardroom.

Facing Fear with Action: The importance of acting in the face of fear and why giving yourself grace for feeling fear is crucial—but not an excuse to avoid taking action.

Building a Strong Team Culture: The role of trust, humility, and feedback in fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and excellence.

Handling Tough Decisions: KC reflects on making difficult calls, whether it’s firing a team member or flying a damaged aircraft home.

With a career spanning over 24 years in the Air Force, KC brings a wealth of leadership experience, offering valuable advice for entrepreneurs, executives, and anyone striving to be a better leader.

Key Takeaways:

Preparation and visualization are essential to overcoming fear and improving performance.

High standards and compassionate leadership can coexist in a thriving team culture.