Episode 172: Air Force Veteran Excels in Leadership at Boeing and Beyond

From the Battlefield to the Boardroom

Sometimes we think of leadership as having formal authority over others, but in many cases it’s not so clear cut. In the military you’ve gained valuable skills and attributes that make you a great fit for a leadership positions, but sometimes it's hard to know how to apply those skills to a job outside of the military. Today’s guest, Debbie Collard, knew that struggle well. Debbie joined the Air Force right out of high school and after serving 5 years, she was ready to move on but didn’t have a career path in mind. Immediately after transitioning, Debbie worked four part time jobs to make ends meet, and even considered re-enlisting in the military seeking career stability. Ultimately, Debbie ended up reconnecting with a friend who encouraged her to apply for a role at Boeing, where she went on to have a 30 -year career. During her time at Boeing, Debbie worked her way through the leadership ranks and gained sought-after awards and recognition along the way. Now, Debbie is the co-founder of Seasons Leadership, a company that provides leadership training and resources to all leaders, regardless of job title. Seasons Leadership offers many valuable resources for leaders, including coaching, consulting, leadership development, podcasts, and more. In this episode, Debbie shares her inspiring story that includes: • Her challenging transition out of the military • Her rewarding career at Boeing and how it prepared her to start her own business • Leadership lessons she has learned throughout her creer Check out SeasonsLeadership.com and the Seasons Leadership podcast to learn how you can reach new levels of leadership in your own career and life.