Leading in High-Pressure Environments with Guest Carey Lohrenz

This episode, we talk with Carey Lohrenz about the lessons she’s learned as a leader in one of the highest pressure work environments imaginable—inside the cockpit of a Navy fighter jet. Carey shares how lead as the only woman in the room, and Andrew overshares his ideas for the next Hollywood blockbuster.

In 1994, when Carey Lohrenz (callsign “Vixen”) was deployed to the USS Abraham Lincoln, there were fewer than 5 female aviators on a ship of 5,000 male crew members. Facing uncharted waters in an intensely male-dominated environment, Carey learned vital lessons in leadership that followed her into the corporate world. The most successful leaders share a common foundation of principles: how to inspire, use good judgment, take initiative, and make powerful decisions with integrity.

Carey was interviewed by Ana Bentz, a writer, producer, and designated kicker on her kickball team.

Host: Andrew Scarcella
Guest: Carey Lohrenze

Topics covered:

• 2:33 - Female role models and gender stereotypes
• 4:00 - Succeeding in a male-dominated environment
• 7:30 - Inclusion and diversity in the talent war

“Until we have that conversation in a way that brings both sides to the table, it’s gonna be a challenge to get the best talent engaged in the positions that we need them—to be innovative, to be creative, to be successful in this really challenging environment.” - Carey Lohrenze

• 11:30 - Building a cohesive workplace culture
• 12:22 - Reducing distractions
• 13:00 - Leadership and purpose

“Because every single day, every interaction that you have with people is, in a micro-way, determining the culture of your organisation.” - Carey Lohrenze

• 15:45 - Keeping a positive attitude

“You know, it doesn't mean you're going to be successful, but if you go into this with a negative attitude, it kills your ability to adapt. So you've gotta show up with a positive attitude.” - Carey Lohrenze

Carey Lohrenze:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/careylohrenz/
Twitter: @CareyLohrenz
Instagram: @careylohrenz

Tangible Takeaways:

1. The first is that workplace cultures aren’t shaped in a day. They’re shaped every day. As a leader, every interaction you have with people is, in a micro-way, determining the culture of your organisation in a decidedly macro-way.

2. The second is that “you can't be what you can't see.” Whether as a role model or an ally, we all have a responsibility to shine a spotlight on women—or any other similarly marginalized group for that matter—who are succeeding in their field. By all means, tell the story of how only 5% of the S&P 500 c-suite executives are women, but also, tell the stories of how those 5% are CRUSHING IT. You just might inspire the next generation of women leaders.

3. The third is that if you’ve never heard of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs, you’re not alone. The WASPs were female civilian pilots who collectively flew over 60 million miles transporting aircraft, cargo, and personnel stateside during World War II. They even towed targets for live anti-aircraft gun practice! But they weren’t considered part of the military, and though they sacrificed their blood, sweat, tears, and in some cases, their lives, they had to pay for their own transportation costs, uniforms, and room and board. It took until 1984 for them to finally get some recognition, when President Carter awarded every WASP member the Victory Medal. Because their story remained classified for 35 years after the war, their efforts were, and still are, little known. But with your help, we can make sure people know about the badass women of the World War II WASPs. Tell your friends over dinner. Write a blog post. Make a movie? Actually, don’t make a movie. I’m already working on a script. It’s called . . . Don’t Call Me Honey, of course.

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The Work Place is sponsored by O.C. Tanner, the global leader in engaging workplace cultures. O.C. Tanner’s Culture Cloud️ provides a single, modular suite where all employee experience apps are in sync, giving teams the integrated tools they need when, where, and how they need them.