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The Grit Factor

The Grit Factor

Written by: The Grit Institute
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 Season 3 of The Grit Factor, hosted by Shannon Huffman Polson, Army veteran, pilot, and corporate and non-profit leader dedicated to building courageous leaders for a better world. We'll look at facing fear and failure, connecting to purpose, when to grit and when to quit, and much, much more, from the fields of the military to government, law to business, academia and more. Tune in Tuesdays for new conversations, and make sure to leave your questions for Shannon at https://www.speakpipe.com/TheGritFactorThe Grit Institute Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • How High Performers Think: Dr. Ruth Gotian on Success, Leadership & Motivation

    How High Performers Think: Dr. Ruth Gotian on Success, Leadership & Motivation
    Dec 4 2025

    Host

    Shannon Huffman Polson is the founder of The Grit Institute and host of The Grit Factor Podcast, where she helps purpose-driven leaders build grit, resilience, and purpose in their lives and organizations.

    A former U.S. Army Apache helicopter pilot and one of the first women to fly the Apache in the Army, Shannon brings real-world leadership experience from the military and corporate boardroom to her work as an author, speaker, and leadership educator. She is the author of The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience, and Leadership in the Most Male-Dominated Organization in the World, which distills lessons from elite leaders across industries and the armed forces.

    Through The Grit Institute, Shannon combines research, storytelling, and actionable frameworks to help individuals and organizations navigate transitions, overcome challenges, and lead with impact. Her work empowers people to connect with purpose and bring values-based leadership into every facet of life and work.

    Whether in the cockpit, the classroom, or the boardroom, Shannon champions a mission to cultivate courage, purpose, and authentic leadership for a better world.

    Guest Bio

    Dr. Ruth Gotian, Chief Learning Officer and Associate Professor of Education in Anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine, is a globally recognized expert in mentorship and leadership development.

    Hailed by Nature, Wall Street Journal, and Columbia University, she was named a top 20 mentor worldwide. Thinkers50 ranked her as the #1 emerging management thinker in 2021, LinkedIn recognized her as a top voice in mentoring in 2023, and she was named a Top 50 Executive Coach in the world in 2024 (Coaches50 list).

    A semi-finalist for Forbes 50 Over 50, Dr. Gotian is a prolific contributor to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Psychology Today, where she shares insights on 'optimizing success.'

    With a focus on the mindset and skill set of peak performers, including Nobel Prize winners, astronauts, Olympic and NBA champions, she's also an award-winning author of The Success Factor and The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring.

    Summary

    In this conversation, Shannon Huffman Polson sits down with Dr. Ruth Gotian, a world-renowned expert in leadership, high performance, and success. Together, they explore what truly sets high achievers apart—from astronauts and Olympic athletes to top-performing leaders. Dr. Gotian shares insights from her groundbreaking research on motivation, resilience, and peak performance, revealing practical strategies anyone can apply to excel in their personal and professional life.

    They also discuss the mindsets that drive exceptional achievement, the habits that separate elite performers from the rest, and how purpose, curiosity, and continuous learning fuel long-term success. Whether you're a leader, creator, or someone striving to improve, this conversation offers actionable wisdom to help you elevate your performance and live with intention.

    Key Takeaways

    • What Dr. Ruth Gotian has learned from studying the world's highest performers

    • The mindsets and daily habits that drive exceptional success

    • How purpose fuels resilience and long-term motivation

    • The importance of curiosity and continuous learning

    • Practical tools you can start using today to elevate your performance

    • Why high achievers think differently—and how you can too

    Resources

    Website: https://ruthgotian.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rgotian
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    40 mins
  • Living Your Ikigai: Sam Ushio on Purpose, Presence, and the Power of Daily Alignment

    Living Your Ikigai: Sam Ushio on Purpose, Presence, and the Power of Daily Alignment
    Oct 29 2025
    Host Shannon Huffman Polson is the founder of The Grit Institute and host of The Grit Factor Podcast, where she helps purpose-driven leaders build grit, resilience, and purpose in their lives and organizations. A former U.S. Army Apache helicopter pilot and one of the first women to fly the Apache in the Army, Shannon brings real-world leadership experience from the military and corporate boardroom to her work as an author, speaker, and leadership educator. She is the author of The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience, and Leadership in the Most Male-Dominated Organization in the World, which distills lessons from elite leaders across industries and the armed forces. Through The Grit Institute, Shannon combines research, storytelling, and actionable frameworks to help individuals and organizations navigate transitions, overcome challenges, and lead with impact. Her work empowers people to connect with purpose and bring values-based leadership into every facet of life and work. Whether in the cockpit, the classroom, or the boardroom, Shannon champions a mission to cultivate courage, purpose, and authentic leadership for a better world. Guest Bio Sam Ushio is the founder and Chief Ikigai Officer of Ikigai Lab, a social enterprise that blends ancient Japanese wisdom with modern science to help people and organizations align purpose with measurable impact. Drawing on two decades in corporate leadership and consulting, Sam's work focuses on human sustainability, values-based growth, and bringing humanity back into business. A former financial services executive, Sam experienced a pivotal moment that transformed his understanding of success—from financial growth to personal and purposeful growth. His family's story, rooted in Japan over a century ago, deeply shaped his worldview and introduced him to the authentic essence of Ikigai—the Japanese concept of a "reason for being." Through Ikigai Lab, Sam works with global brands and leaders to create cultures where people thrive through alignment of strengths, values, and daily actions. His frameworks integrate positive psychology, emotional intelligence, and ancient wisdom, inspiring people to live with awareness, gratitude, and intention every day. Sam is also the creator of the Ikigai Summit (soon to be rebranded as Repurpose), an annual event that explores how purpose-driven leadership can reshape organizations and communities for a more meaningful future. At his core, Sam believes purpose isn't a destination—it's a daily practice. His mission is to help others discover and live their Ikigai through the simple yet profound act of aligning who they are with how they live and lead. Summary In this conversation, Shannon Huffman Polson and Sam Ushio explore the concept of Ikigai, its origins, and its significance in personal and professional life. They discuss the importance of family legacy, personal growth, and the misunderstandings surrounding Ikigai, particularly the common four-circle Venn diagram. Sam shares his journey of discovering Ikigai through his family's history and emphasizes the need for gratitude, intentionality, and the integration of personal values in daily life. The discussion also touches on the impact of Ikigai on organizations and the importance of spirituality and rituals in Japanese culture. Takeaways Ikigai is a Japanese concept meaning 'reason for being'. Personal stories shape our understanding of purpose. Financial growth should not compromise personal growth. Gratitude and awareness are essential for a fulfilling life. Ikigai is about aligning daily actions with personal values. The four-circle Venn diagram is a common misunderstanding of Ikigai. Daily life (sekatsu) is central to understanding Ikigai. Mindset and emotional intelligence are crucial for personal development. Reflecting on influential people can help clarify one's values. Ikigai can enhance both personal and professional fulfillment. Chapters 00:00 – What Is Ikigai, Really? Sam Ushio introduces the real meaning of Ikigai—not just an abstract idea of life's purpose, but the alignment of daily actions with personal values and priorities. 01:05 – Purpose as the Foundation of Grit and Resilience Host Shannon Huffman Polson shares how purpose became central to her research on grit and leadership, setting the stage for the conversation. 02:57 – Sam Ushio's Journey from Corporate Success to Purpose Alignment Sam reflects on his background in financial services, the "lightning bolt moment" that shifted his path, and his discovery of a deeper calling through Ikigai. 03:48 – The Power of Family Heritage and Migration Sam shares his great-grandparents' story—leaving Japan to support a 1,200-year-old shrine—and how that legacy shaped his modern understanding of purpose and sacrifice. 08:19 – Realizing the Limits of Financial Growth Sam explains how a career focused solely on financial metrics led to personal disconnection—and how redefining ...
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • The Power of Purpose: Phyllis Wilson's Impact on Military History

    The Power of Purpose: Phyllis Wilson's Impact on Military History
    Oct 7 2025
    Host: Shannon Huffman Polson Shannon Huffman Polson is a former Apache helicopter pilot, speaker, and author of "The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience, and Leadership in the Most Male-Dominated Organization in the World." She is the founder of The Grit Institute, where she helps purpose-driven leaders build grit and resilience. Guest: Phyllis Wilson Phyllis Wilson is a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 with a military career spanning nearly four decades, including deployments to Iraq as a senior intelligence analyst. She is the president of the Military Women's Memorial in Washington, DC, the only national memorial honoring the service of women in all branches and eras of the U.S. military. Description In this episode of The Grit Factor, Shannon Huffman Polson talks with Phyllis Wilson about her remarkable journey from a young recruit to a leader in the Military Women's Memorial. Phyllis shares her experiences in the military, the challenges she faced, and her mission to preserve the stories of America's servicewomen. Summary Phyllis Wilson discusses her military career, the importance of preserving the stories of servicewomen, and her leadership at the Military Women's Memorial. She reflects on the challenges of being a woman in the military, the impact of her work, and the lessons learned from her service. Key Highlights 00:00 – Challenge Accepted Phyllis opens by reflecting on moments when people underestimate her: "Sit back and watch, buddy. I'll show you what I'm capable of doing." She frames underestimation as fuel for proving herself rather than discouragement. 03:17 – Joining the Army for Opportunity Phyllis describes joining the military to afford college — a "four-year plan" that turned into 37 years of service. She was drawn in by education, travel, and a sense of purpose. 05:09 – Motherhood & Warrant Officer Training Phyllis recounts attending the Warrant Officer Candidate Program while raising young children: Describes grueling inspections and "hazing" culture of the time. Brought her kids to training at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, with classmates helping out. Reflects on resilience and community support. 09:07 – Climbing to Chief Warrant Officer 5 She breaks down the rarity of her rank: Out of 1 million Army personnel, only ~822 are CW5s. Highlights the tight Warrant Officer network and the importance of relying on collective expertise, not pretending to know everything. 10:22 – Imposter Syndrome Phyllis candidly talks about moments of doubt at senior levels: "You pinch yourself—am I really supposed to be here?" She learned to trust the leaders who believed in her and to "just do the work." 13:25 – Iraq: Life-or-Death Intel Decisions As a senior intelligence analyst in Special Operations, she was responsible for nightly mission targeting: Describes pressure of ensuring missions aren't sent to "dry holes" or booby-trapped locations. Talks about guilt when missions result in deaths, even if assessments were correct. "Sometimes when they don't come home alive, you kick yourself… Can I keep doing this?" Coping through treadmill running 70–80 miles a week to manage stress. 17:36 – Serving Alongside Her Sons Phyllis' sons were deployed in Iraq simultaneously: Promoted one to Sergeant during Thanksgiving. Mixed pride and deep fear, especially near the end of their tours. 21:43 – Special Operations as a Woman She thrived in Special Ops because the mission came first and gender was irrelevant: "I never even noticed I was the only woman in the room… I count lefties, not women." She stresses speaking with value, not just to be heard. 25:57 – Leadership & Trust Under Pressure Trust looks different in combat vs. garrison. She highlights how earning trust through competence is essential when lives are on the line. 29:45 – Childhood Foundations Growing up as a tomboy in a strict but loving household shaped her confidence and resilience. She recalls lifeguarding as a teen and learning to develop "thick skin" early. 33:45 – Evolving Sense of Purpose Over decades, her purpose deepened through service and exposure to other cultures. She learned profound lessons on contentment and gratitude from communities abroad. 39:01 – Post-Military Transition After hanging up the uniform, Phyllis felt unexpectedly lost. She founded "Wounded Warriors Have Families Too" to support families of injured service members, restoring her sense of mission. 44:28 – Leading the Military Women's Memorial As president, she discovered how many women's stories remain untold. The Memorial's database has 325,000+ stories but represents only ~10% of all who served. She's passionate about preserving and amplifying these histories. 51:52 – Defending Women's Stories Today In an era where some narratives are being erased, Phyllis emphasizes protecting and elevating military women's stories — including those who died recently. "Our job is to honor and tell the stories… not drag ...
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    1 hr and 3 mins
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