Gen. Pringle discusses her experiences as a cadet, including unique firsts. And she highlights the challenges she faced in her career and the lessons she learned.

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SUMMARY

Gen. Pringle '91 shares her journey from the Air Force Academy to commanding the Air Force Research Laboratory. She emphasizes the importance of teamwork and being the best wingman. Gen. Pringle discusses her experiences as a cadet, including unique firsts. She highlights the challenges she faced in her career and the lessons she learned. Gen. Pringle also provides advice for other leaders, emphasizing the value of honesty and feedback. She encourages listeners to pursue their dreams and make a difference in the world.

OUR QUOTE PICKS

"The mission gets done 100 times better if the whole team is working in concert it the success or the failure of the mission isn't on one person's shoulders. It never is on one person's shoulders."

"Everyone has a story. And so if someone's a supervisor out there, I would say job number one is to listen and know your team, listen to their stories."

"I would just say, don't think about me, you know, just go for it. And if you need help, call me. So that's it, that I just said, go for it. There's nothing should be stopping you."

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CHAPTERS

00:00 :  Introduction and Teamwork

01:06 :  General Pringle's Journey

03:22 :  Cadet Life and Experiences

04:22 :  Unique Firsts and Exchanges

05:41 :  Impressions of Today's Cadets

06:08 :  Indoctrination Day and Early Memories

07:30 :  Involvement in Clubs and Groups

08:19 :  Challenges and Lessons Learned

09:39 :  Transition to Air Force Research Laboratory

12:32 :  Commanding Air Force Research Laboratory

14:46 :  Transition to Civilian Sector and Nonprofit Work

19:05 :  Advice for Supervisors and Taking Care of Your Team

20:30 :  Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Failure

23:49 :  Lessons from Mentors and Leaders

24:46 :  Being the Best Wingman and Team Player

25:12 :  Commanding Air Force Research Laboratory

27:33 :  Transition to Civilian Sector and Nonprofit Work

30:25 :  Lessons Learned and Being True to Yourself

34:36 :  Final Thoughts and Encouragement

TAKEAWAYS FOR LEADERS AND ASPIRING LEADERS

- The importance of teamwork and being a good wingman in achieving mission success. No one person carries the burden alone.

- As a leader, it's important to listen to your team's stories to better understand and support them. Everyone comes from a unique background.

- Facing challenges and setbacks are an opportunity to learn and grow. Don't get discouraged by failures or non-selections - keep pursuing new opportunities.

- It's important to be honest with yourself and others for personal and professional development. Be open to feedback to improve.

- Focus on serving others through your work and giving back to your community through service and leadership.

- Believe in yourself and pursue your dreams and passions. With perseverance, you are capable of more than you realize.

 - The success or failure of a mission is not on one person's shoulders; it requires a whole team working together.

 - Embrace challenges and failures as opportunities for growth and learning.

 - Be true to yourself and embrace your unique story and background.

 - Take care of your team and listen to their stories; everyone has a unique perspective and contribution to make.

 - Don't be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback to improve as a leader.

BIO

Major General (Ret.) Heather Pringle '91

Gen. Pringle retired as Commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command, Dayton, Ohio, and Technology Executive Officer, supporting both the United States Air Force and United States Space Force. She led a $2.5 billion science, technology and innovation enterprise in accelerating the discovery and development of solutions for Airmen and Guardians. She was responsible for formulating a comprehensive technology portfolio that anticipates future warfighter needs, while promoting risk-taking and problem solving across her 6,000-member government workforce. She accelerated the delivery of cross-domain solutions through partnerships with industry, academia, and international allies, and executed an additional $2.3 billion in externally funded research and development. Through the laboratory's technology and functional directorates, AFWERX and the 711th Human Performance Wing, her team produced a deep technical and medical bench, pushed the boundaries of modern technology and improved the science for tomorrow.



Prior to her last assignment, Maj. Gen. Pringle served as the Director of Strategic Plans, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.

- Copy and image credit:  www.af.mil

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

SPEAKERS

Our Host is Naviere Walkewicz '99 | Our Guest is Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Heather Pringle '91

Major Gen. (Ret.) Heather Pringle '91  00:09

The mission gets done 100 times better if the whole team is working in concert. The success or the failure of the mission isn't on one person's shoulders. It never is on one person's shoulders. Just like being a cadet isn't just on the cadet’s shoulders. There's a whole team of folks out there who, if we are the best wingman that we can be, then the mission will succeed.

Naviere Walkewicz  01:00

My guest today is retired Major General Heather Pringle, a 1991 graduate of the Air Force Academy. General Pringle’s journey from in-processing day to her current role in the nonprofit sector spans 32 years. Along the way, she served in education, warfighter support, research, innovation and global leadership roles culminating in the command of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command. There is a unique first from her days as a fourth degree that stands out. And it makes me wonder how that affected the trajectory of your Air Force career. We'll talk about that with the general and much more. General Pringle, thank you for being here today.

Gen. Heather Pringle  01:36

Thanks for having me, Naviere. And please, call me Heather.

Naviere Walkewicz  01:39

So Heather, let's kind of go back a little bit, you know, to some early days. Back to the beginning. Let's talk about what you were like as a kid where you grew up, about your f