People matter more than position, and leadership starts with taking care of others. Doing that right means a million acts.
SUMMARY
Those are lessons Lt. Col. Steven “Meathead” Mount ’08 shares with listeners in the Season 4 premier of Long Blue Leadership. For Col. Mount, becoming a pilot was a major milestone, but becoming a husband and father had the biggest impact. Don’t wait, listen today and become a better leader tomorrow.
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COL. MOUNT'S TOP LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS
- Adoption shaped my understanding of support and love.
- Leadership is about lifting others to achieve their best.
- Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional growth.
- Balancing family and career is a continuous challenge.
- It's important to have tough conversations as a leader.
- Resilience is key to overcoming setbacks in life and career.
- Listening more than talking is essential for effective leadership.
- Recognizing the importance of support systems can enhance leadership effectiveness.
- Leadership is defined by consistent, everyday actions.
- The military community thrives on teamwork and mutual support.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Leadership Lessons 06:43 The Impact of Adoption on Leadership 14:53 Navigating Challenges at the Academy 22:49 Career Path and Opportunities in Aviation 33:31 Balancing Family and Military Career 44:18 Continuous Improvement as a Leader
ABOUT COL. MOUNT
BIO
Lt. Col. Steven “Meathead” Mount is a decorated officer in the United States Air Force with a career marked by leadership, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation. A command pilot with thousands of flight hours, he has served in a variety of demanding roles across multiple aircraft and theaters, bringing a wealth of experience in both combat and peacetime operations.
Beyond the cockpit, Lt. Col. Mount is widely recognized for his ability to lead diverse teams through complex challenges, foster innovation, and develop leaders at every level. His career reflects not only technical expertise but also a people-first leadership philosophy that emphasizes accountability, resilience, and service.
Known by his call sign “Meathead,” he brings both humility and humor to the serious business of leading Airmen. His story is one of dedication to mission and country, but also of shaping culture, inspiring others, and leaving a lasting impact on the Air Force community.
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Bryan Grossman | Copy Editor: Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org
Wyatt Hornsby | Executive Producer: Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org
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TRANSCRIPT
SPEAKERS
Guest, Lt. Col. Steven Mount ’08 | Host, Lt. Col. Naviere Walkewicz ’99
Naviere Walkewicz Welcome to the first episode of Season 4 of Long Blue Leadership, the podcast where we share insights on leadership through the lives and experiences of Air Force Academy graduates. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of ’99. We're kicking off this season with a story that shows how our earliest experiences can shape the kind of leaders we become. Lt. Col. Steve Mount, Class of 2008, call sign “Meathead,” didn't fully realize that truth until later in life. Adopted as an infant, he came to understand that love and support aren't guaranteed. They're gifts. Over his 17-year career, Col. Mount has flown missions across a wide range of aircraft, from the C-130 t
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