140 - The Courage You Practice Shapes the Leader You Become with JoAnne Bass

Our identity - as people and leaders - isn’t forged in one defining moment. It’s built over time, through small choices that test our values long before the stakes feel high. In this conversation with JoAnne S. Bass, the first Asian American and first female to serve as Chief Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force where she was responsible for nearly 800,000 serviceman, we discuss how practicing courage in small ways early in our careers expands our capacity to exercise courage in big ways when the stakes are greater as our careers progress and influence grows.

JoAnne shares her journey from trying to blend in early in her career to embracing her identity as a leadership strength, even when it risked disapproval. We talk about the decisions that strengthened her integrity and why values matter more than certainty. If you’ve ever hesitated to speak up or wondered what leadership is asking you to grow into, this episode invites a more honest look at the moments shaping you now.

Get my book The Courage Gap: https://margiewarrell.com/thecouragegap/

Transform discomfort into bold, confident action: The LinkedIn Course https://www.linkedin.com/learning/activating-courage-transform-discomfort-into-bold-confident-action

About Chief Master Sgt. JoAnne S. Bass

Joanne Bass made history in 2020 when she became the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force—the first woman to serve as the highest-ranking enlisted leader in any branch of the U.S. military responsible for over 780,000 servicemen and women. Her appointment marked a transformative moment for the armed forces and for leadership at large. Over her 31-year career, she has been a relentless trailblazer. Today, she advises organizations, serves on nonprofit boards, and speaks globally on leadership, culture, and service.

JoAnne S. Bass on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-bass/