Long Blue Leadership:
Alison '15 and Paul '16 Yang
5 Things that Make Great Leaders
SUMMARY
Alison '15 and Paul '15 Yang discuss their backgrounds, experiences at the Air Force Academy, transition to the corporate world, and key qualities of successful leaders. Their leadership lessons and takeaways? The importance of caring about people, having humility, being resilient, managing stakeholders, and leading through change.
OUR FAVORITE QUOTES
"Care about people, whether that's, you know, asking about how their day was to participate in the flightline and solving everyday problems." - Paul Yang
"You have the humility to set yourself aside. You have a leg up, which enables you to have teams that perform under pressure and operate well through change." - Alison Yang
"I truly did [enjoy the YC advice]. I think sometimes Alison is very good at telling you what you need to hear." - Paul Yang
"Folks that come out of the military have no quit. If when we asked him to expand that out, he talked about how, when someone is asked whether or not they're willing to potentially make the ultimate sacrifice for this country, any other ask following that, in and out of the military becomes, I don't want to say easy, but it's going to fall short of it, right." - Paul Yang
"Care about people. And if you care about people, your interpersonal skills are likely decent, you have the humility to set yourself aside, you have a leg up on stakeholder management, which enables you to have teams that perform under pressure and operate well through change." - Alison Yang
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:47 Childhood and Influences
07:04 High School and Leadership
10:51 Air Force Academy Experience
14:47 Career Choices: Maintenance Officer and Intelligence
20:30 Leadership Skills from the Military
24:03 Transitioning to the Corporate World
29:40 Transitioning as a Couple
35:13 Mistakes and Lessons Learned
46:23 Key Qualities of Successful Leaders
53:20 Advice for Future Leaders
58:02 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
59:05 How They Met
01:00:09 First Impressions
01:01:52 Working Together
01:02:52 Thoughts on Wise Advice
OUR FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS
- Caring about people is a key quality of successful leaders.
- Humility and resilience are important traits for leaders.
- Effective stakeholder management and leading through change are crucial skills.
- Transitioning from the military to the corporate world requires support and networking.
- Continuous learning and self-improvement are essential for leadership development.
BIOS
Alison Yang '15
I lead the delivery of global executive searches for US industrial companies and specialize in engineered products, distribution, and aerospace & defense.
Spencer Stuart is the world’s leading leadership advisory firm. Founded in 1956 and privately owned, we are the adviser of choice among organizations seeking guidance and counsel on senior leadership needs. We work with clients across a range of industries, from the world’s largest companies to medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurial startups and nonprofit organizations.
Spencer Stuart today has 56 offices in 30 countries. Our global reach, leadership in CEO and senior executive searches, and status as the premier firm for board counsel give us unparalleled access to the world’s top executive talent.
Paul Yang '16
Spencer Stuart is one of the world's leading executive search consulting firms. Founded in 1956 and privately owned, we are the advisor of choice among organizations seeking guidance and counsel on senior leadership needs. We work with clients across a range of industries, from the world's largest companies to medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurial startups and nonprofit organizations. Through 56 offices in 30 countries and a broad range of practice groups, our global reach, leadership in CEO and senior executive searches, and status as the premier firm for board counsel give us unparalleled access to the world’s top executive talent.