Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski ’96 - How Leader's Defy Life's Gravity

Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski ’96 shares her insights on leadership, resilience, resurgence, perseverance, advocacy, and how she continues to serve her country, even after her military career.

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A SHOW NOTE:  There are two ways to learn from Col. Malachowski's leadership journey.

 - If you're short on time, the audio version delivers the highlights of her stories in 40 minutes. Her leadership bites, takeaways, keys to leadership and transcript are below.

 - The video version is 1:46:00 and is well worth the investment of your time. This version includes stories and details about the Colonel's journey she hasn't shared before. Click the "Play" button in the video above and settle in for a most enlightening conversation. 

 

SUMMARY

Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski ’96 is a trailblazer who has broken barriers in both military aviation and advocacy. She was one of the first women to fly combat fighter aircraft, accruing more than 2,300 flight hours in six different aircraft and serving in multiple high-stakes missions, including Operations Deliberate Forge and Iraqi Freedom.

But her story doesn’t end there. As the first woman to fly with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, a White House Fellow, and a key advisor on military and veterans' issues, Nicole’s career has been defined by leadership at the highest levels. After being medically retired due to a Tick-Borne Illness, she turned her focus to advocacy, leading efforts to improve care for the wounded, ill, and injured service members through the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program.

Now a passionate advocate for Tick-Borne Disease research, Nicole serves on several national committees and advisory boards, including the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program.

 

NICOLE'S LEADERHIP BITES

• "Leadership is a journey."
• "The runway behind you is always unusable."
• "Don't think you have to be perfect to be a leader."
• "Believe those who believe in you."
• "Nobody wants to lead a scripted life."
• "Courage, compassion, and curiosity drive me today."
• "It's okay to admit when you make mistakes."

 

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TAKEAWAYS

1. Leadership is personal - It's about understanding what motivates and drives each individual on your team, and tailoring your approach accordingly.

2. Believe in those who believe in you - Mentors like Mick Jaggers who supported and encouraged Nicole were pivotal in her development as a leader.

3. Don't write yourself or others out of the script - As General Matthews told Nicole, "Nobody wants to lead a scripted life." Embrace opportunities to dream big and take risks.

4. Radical acceptance is key - When Nicole's military career ended unexpectedly, learning to accept the situation allowed her to move forward and find new purpose.

5. Personal values guide your path - Nicole's core values of courage, compassion and curiosity have been instrumental in navigating life's challenges and reinventing herself.

 

CHAPTERS

00:00  The Journey of Leadership 02:01  Colonel Malachowski's Early Life and Aspirations 06:01  Navigating the Air Force Academy 09:46  Leadership Lessons from Soaring 14:07  Overcoming Challenges in Pilot Training 17:50  Key Leadership Experiences in the Air Force 21:59  Becoming a Thunderbird Pilot 25:47  Transitioning to Civilian Life 30:02  Advocacy and New Beginnings 34:09  Personal Values and Resilience 37:54  Final Thoughts on Leadership

 

NICOLE'S KEYS TO LEADERSHIP SUCCESS

• Leadership is a journey that requires growth and learning.
• It's okay to admit mistakes and seek help.
• Resilience is key to overcoming challenges.
• Personal values guide decision-making and actions.
• Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional development.
• Failure is often the price of entry for success.