What does leadership look like at the highest levels of service?
SUMMARY
In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Col. (Ret.) Michael Black ’85 discusses his journey from cadet to commanding the White House Communications Agency. He reflects on what it means to be a calm, steady presence in high-pressure environments — and how small daily practices can shape a lifetime of leadership. The full episode is now available.
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MICHAEL'S LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS
- Develop a personal leadership philosophy that guides your actions (like Michael's 5F's: Family, Fitness, Flying, Fairness, and Fun).
- Always be aware that people are watching you and learning from your example, even when you don't realize it.
- Nurture relationships continuously - they are critical for long-term success and mentorship.
- Practice empathy and compassion, especially during difficult moments like delivering challenging news
- Maintain a holistic approach to fitness - physical, mental, and spiritual well-being are interconnected.
- Take pride in leaving organizations better than you found them and focus on developing future leaders.
- Be fair and be perceived as fair - understanding different perspectives is crucial to effective leadership.
- Incorporate fun and balance into your professional life to maintain team morale and personal resilience.
- Stay connected to your roots and be willing to mentor the next generation, sharing your experiences and lessons learned.
- Continuously practice self-reflection and ensure you're living up to your core values and leadership principles.
CHAPTERS
Chapter 1 - 0:00:00 - 0:08:55: Family and Military Roots
Michael Black shares his background as a military brat and the educational legacy of his family.
Chapter 2 - 0:08:55 - 0:12:10: Delivering a Difficult Notification
A profound leadership moment where Black sensitively delivers news of a combat-related death to a staff sergeant's family.
Chapter 3 - 0:12:10 - 0:18:40: The 5F Leadership Philosophy Introduction
Col. Black explains the origin and core components of his leadership framework: Family, Fitness, Flying, Fairness, and Fun.
Chapter 4 - 0:18:40 - 0:25:59: Detailed Exploration of 5F Philosophy
In-depth breakdown of each leadership principle, including personal anecdotes and practical applications.
Chapter 5 - 0:25:59 - 0:32:21: Family Legacy and Academy Experience
Discussion of his son's Air Force Academy journey and the importance of nurturing relationships across generations.
Chapter 6 - 0:32:21 - 0:38:36: Mentorship and Relationship Building
Michael shares his approach to mentoring cadets and the significance of maintaining long-term professional connections.
Chapter 7 - 0:38:36 - 0:40:13: Leadership in Civilian and Nonprofit Sectors
Reflection on applying military leadership principles in private and nonprofit environments.
Chapter 8 - 0:40:13 - 0:41:28: Personal Reflection and Leadership Advice
Final thoughts on leadership, self-improvement, and the importance of continuous personal development.
ABOUT COL. BLACK
BIO
Michael “Mike” B. Black, vice president for Defense, joined the nonprofit Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association International in July 2022. He is a senior cyber/information technology leader with more than four decades of experience in cyber operations, communications, project/program management, leadership disciplines and organizational development.
As AFCEA's vice president for Defense, Col. Black builds strong professional relationships with government, industry and academia partners to position AFCEA International as a leader in the cyber, defense, security, intelligence and related information technology disciplines. Col. Black leads defense operations in support of planning and executing global, large-scale, technically focused, trade shows/conferences supporting Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Operations, Cyber and Homeland Security.
Col. Black is focused on providing opportunities for engagement between and among government, industry and academia. Prior to joining AFCEA International, Col. Black served as chief operating officer at Concise Network Solutions for four years, directly supporting
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