Wholehearted Leadership and Shifting the Culture with Col (Ret) DeDe Halfhill

Do you know what being an empathetic leader truly looks like? Today on the podcast I am joined by the incredible Col (Ret) Dede Halfhill for a raw and real conversation about it. Dede Halfhill was featured in Brené Brown’s book  "Dare to Lead." We are diving into Dede’s experiences that had Brené Brown writing about her and chatting more about the power of vulnerability, empathy, and the critical role of open conversations in building trust and connection.

Empathetic Leadership in the Air Force 

Dede shares her journey and insights into leading with empathy, emphasizing the importance of sharing personal struggles to empower others within the military to do the same. Her experiences highlight the necessity of open conversations for building trust and connection.

The Role of Vulnerability and Emotional Intelligence

Reflecting on her Pentagon experiences and subsequent coaching practice, she discusses the evolving approach to vulnerability and emotional intelligence in the military. A significant moment in her career came from a Leadership Circle profile assessment, revealing a perception gap and highlighting the importance of listening and understanding others' emotional needs.

Armor vs. Boundaries 

The conversation explores the distinction between subconscious armor and conscious boundaries, with references to Berné Brown's "Rumble Language" as a tool for fostering meaningful communication. A personal anecdote about a nightly routine dispute illustrates the challenges of control and self-awareness.

Productivity and Self-worth:

The episode critiques societal norms around productivity and exhaustion, urging listeners to introspect and pursue activities that genuinely fulfill them, rather than seeking validation through busyness.

Community and Support

Emphasizing the value of community, the episode encourages listeners to lean on each other for support and growth. Christina’s Lead Your Life program is highlighted as a context for studying these concepts, showcasing the importance of self-exploration and inclusive dialogue in personal and professional development.

If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you, over on Instagram, or in my Facebook community!

RESOURCES:

Connect with DeDe: 

dedehalfhill.com

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

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

Join my Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen

www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com (https://www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com/)