Camouflaged Sisters: Leadership Through the Eyes of Senior Military Women Leaders

By Lila Holley

The journey to becoming an effective leader can be full of stumbling blocks and learning curves. But for women, particularly those pursuing a career in male-dominated settings, learning to lead can be a tumultuous road. Camouflaged Sisters: Leadership Through the Eyes of Senior Military Women Leaders examines the grit, perseverance, and

• Language: English
• Publisher: Purposely Created Publishing Group
• Release date: Aug 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644840832

Lila Holley

Lila Holley has a heart to help her fellow Veterans. When Lila transitioned from the US Army after 22 years of service, she maneuvered through a battlefield of strong emotions that stalled her progress in the transition process. Lila wondered, If this was the norm among Veterans, why, then, is no one talking about it? She took it upon herself to start the conversation about the emotional transition Service Members encounter upon leaving the military. Lila shares her story of struggle and triumph in her book, Battle Buddy: Maneuvering the Battlefield of Transitioning from the Military. Lila offers a first-hand experience of the emotional transition Service Members can expect to encounter when they separate from the military. As the wife of a fellow disabled combat Veteran, and after raising two children in the military, Lila serves as a great resource for military spouses as well. Lila now enjoys "retired" life in Texas where she resides with her husband and daughter. She continues to serve her community by volunteering in a number of Veteran organizations and as the President of the Killeen Wealthy Sisters Network, a very active women's networking group. To learn more, visit www.LilaHolley.com

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CAMOUFLAGED SISTERS: LEADERSHIP THROUGH OUR EYES

Published by Purposely Created Publishing Group™

Copyright © 2019 Lila Holley

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, taping, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of reprints in the context of reviews, quotes, or references.

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Also available by Camouflaged Sisters

Camouflaged Sisters,

Revealing Struggles of the Black Woman’s Military Experience

Camouflaged Sisters,

Silent No More

Camouflaged Sisters present,

Behind the Rank Volume 1

Camouflaged Sisters present,

Behind the Rank Volume 2

This book is dedicated to the girls and young women on the journey to discovering the leader inside of them. It is our hope that by reading our stories you are inspired to unleash the leader within. Allow yourself to grow and to find your unique leadership style without forsaking what makes you special. It is that special thing that will make you a great leader.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Why Leadership As A Topic, Why Now?

LEADERSHIP

The Five People I Met on My Leadership Journey

Lila Holley, Chief Warrant Officer Four (Retired), US Army

Making People and Organizations Better Through Leadership

Tanya M. Smith, Sergeant First Class (Retired), US Army

Expectation Management and Values

Alejandra M. Santiago, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army

Pearls of Wisdom

Melissa D. Mcfrazier, Command Sergeant Major (Retired), US Army

MENTORSHIP

Mentorship Is Critical for Your Success

Karen Wright-Chisolm, Chief Master Sergeant (Retired), US Air Force

Mentorship Requires Investment of Time and Energy

Amanda Randolph, Chief Warrant Officer Four (Retired), US Army

Important Matters

Dr. Eurydice S. Stanley, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), US Army

LEADERSHIP

The Unintentional Leader

Elizabeth A. Eckford, US Army Veteran and Member of the Little Rock Nine

The Conversation

Sheila W. Varnado, Colonel (Retired), US Army, DHL

Leading from the Middle

Cynthia Keefer Patton, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), US Army

Leadership: A Science and an Art

Deia R. Aubrey, Command Sergeant Major (Retired), US Army

Beyond Competence

Angela M. Odom, Colonel (Retired), US Army

Meet the Authors

Foreword

The multiple definitions of leadership can be off-balancing. One true fact is that as women, the word leadership has always been an up-hill and distinctive battle. Because of gender, the questions throughout our military history include: Can a woman truly influence? Do they have the confidence necessary to lead? Will people respect them…follow them? Can they do the job? Those types of questions go on and on, but the answer is and will always be a resounding yes. The responsibilities and obligations of leadership do not change because of gender. What changes is how much or how different women have to work in order to gain a position of influence and respect in the military.

Leadership from a female perspective continues to influence positive changes at all levels of management in the military. With that said, the road is not easy, and we still have a ways to go. Sometimes the fight is within. At times, we, women, believe the lies from a culture not ready for us. We listen to an internal voice that screams we are not enough… we can’t do it…we are not welcome.

Camouflaged Sisters: Leadership Through Our Eyes is an open door to the mind of extraordinary women who have had the strength to share their stories. Because of their courage, the reader is able to learn how these women found purpose in their lives and were able to carve a pathway and a guide for generations of military members (women and men) who can build a new vision with strength, pride, and loyalty. This incredible book neutralizes culture and internal conditioning by emphasizing the valor of earning respect, of building crucial relationships to move a team forward, and of reproducing other leaders by creating an environment of growth and development.

The need for a supportive sisterhood is real; none of us can do it alone! The women in this book reveal innovation and the best version of themselves within the circumstances they faced. Women with a voice of logic, professionalism, and faith are the ones who define leadership in their own way, following their hearts, and never selling out their principles. These women of courage built their own leadership passages from their own backgrounds, their own visions of training, development, and growth. Their stories reflect critical points of overcoming obstacles, having priorities, of never compromising their character, and always being unpretentious and authentic.

It is humbling to read this collection of amazing true stories from extraordinary leaders. The reader will be able to understand that it is not easy to get to the top, especially for a military woman. But it is not impossible! All of these women demonstrate hard work, dedication, and discipline as ingredients necessary to continue to grow and add value to others. Their attitude of never giving up and being persistent to attain their dreams are examples for others to emulate. After all, any member of the military has given their word to serve others and to sacrifice for their country. Women need an opportunity and an environment of inclusion where they can bring their unique strengths and God-given gifts to add invaluable influence to the team.

Ericka E. Kelly, MBA, PMC

Chief Master Sergeant (Retired), US Air Force

Certified Public Speaker, Coach, and Trainer

Why Leadership As A Topic, Why Now?

Now more than ever, it is critical that we are sharing the leadership experiences of females serving in the military. More women are joining the Armed Forces, and more women are taking up leadership in their own businesses and in C-Suite positions. Women have incredibly valuable knowledge to share, and we don’t hear enough from women leaders as we grow in our careers. This book addresses this, and I highly recommend you get a copy for the women leaders in your life.

Kalen Arreola

Former Captain, US Army Combat Veteran,

Bronze Star recipient

Brand Strategist

kalenmarieconsulting.com

*

Lila Holley has once again tapped into an important issue and started a conversation that must continue. Leadership isn’t something that can be boxed in, as is eloquently displayed by these essays. This book proposes a better course of activation and action that we must pay attention to so that "being the first" becomes the norm.

Shellie D. Willis

Master Sergeant (Retired), US Army

CEO & Founder, Redefining Your Future LLC

www.redefinedfutureyou.org

*

I was a fan of the Camouflaged Sisters book series before I even met Lila Holley. Upon discovering and reading Camouflaged Sisters: Revealing Struggles of the Black Woman’s Military Experience, my first thought was These women are graciously sharing their stories. I imagined the future and younger generation of sisters-in-arms coming behind them, reading those same stories. Stories in the first book and this leadership book are sure to teach, coach, and mentor our country’s future leaders throughout their tenure in the military. A book of this capacity would have been a privilege to have access to during my career. The stories are inspirational and a great reference to help make decisions as a leader. Being a female leader has its challenges; this book will assist and advise you on which battles are and aren’t worth fighting.

Abeni C. Scott

Chief Warrant Officer Two (Retired), US Army

Owner, Dress Up Room by Four Girls

www.dressuproombfg.com

*

This book is vital in assisting today’s military leaders as they teach structure, the standard of military bearing, and how to execute one’s mission. This is a must-read for all to see the true posture needed to assume the responsibility to Lead from the Front, a motto that I have come to live by. For it was leaders like these ladies who influenced the improvements of military formations to consist of the best of the best!

Ashley Booker-Knight

Staff Sergeant, US Army Combat Veteran

Founder of the I Stand for Positivity movement

*

The Camouflaged Sisters have done it again. Lila Holley and eleven courageous sisters/leaders have welcomed us into their world and gifted us with stories of their journey to becoming successful and outstanding military leaders. These ladies held nothing back; from their hearts, they shared what they have endured, experienced, and learned while serving our country. This is a book that should be included in the libraries of our current and future military leaders, male and female. Great job Camouflaged Sisters! Hooah!

Sylvia McCrea

Chief Warrant Officer Three (Retired), US Army

LEADERSHIP

The US Army defines leadership as the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improve the organization. (Army Field Manual (FM) 6-22)

The US Air Force defines leadership as the art of influencing and directing people to accomplish the mission. Management is the manner in which resources are used to achieve objectives. Military leaders should also be aware of their responsibilities as Air Force managers. (Air Force Pamphlet (AFP) 35-49 – Air Force Leadership)

The US Navy defines leadership as the art, science, or gift by which a person is enabled and privileged to direct the thoughts, plans, and actions of others in such a manner as to obtain and command their obedience, their confidence, their respect, and their loyal cooperation. (Fundamentals of Naval Leadership, a Naval Academy workbook)

US Marine Corps General C. B. Gate explained leadership like this: Leadership is intangible, hard to measure, and difficult to describe. Its quality would seem to stem from many factors. But certainly they must include a measure of inherent ability to control and direct, self-confidence based on expert knowledge, initiative, loyalty, pride, and a sense of responsibility. Inherent ability cannot be instilled, but that which is latent or dormant can be developed. Other ingredients can be acquired. They are not easily learned. But leaders can be and are made. (RP 0103 – Principles of Marine Corps Leadership, marines.com)

John C. Maxwell’s description of leadership in his book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership brings all these definitions together with this statement: …the ability to lead is really a collection of skills, nearly all of which can be learned and improved. But this process doesn’t happen overnight. Leadership is complicated.

There are many variations of the definition of leadership, as we can see. It doesn’t even matter if you believe that leaders are born or leaders are developed. The thing we can all agree on is there are many elements necessary for one to be considered a great leader. Some call these facets, others call these traits, and still others call them characteristics. Regardless of what you call them, the fact remains that these things are necessary to be an effective leader:

• Respect (of both self and others)

• Self-Control

• Experience

• Discipline

• Emotional strength

• People skills

• Vision

• Innovation

• Creativity

• Ability to plan

• Integrity

• Commitment

• Communication

• Confidence

• Accountability

• Decision-making capabilities

• Able to influence

• Able to motivate

• Able to inspire

• Able to develop other leaders

This list could go on and on, but I think you get the gist. A great leader possesses many characteristics, traits, and skills. Some may be inherent while others may be developed over time.

This brings us to why a book like this is so important. None of these definitions factor in gender as a basis for someone to be a great leader. Yet, women leaders are still fighting the stigma of stereotypes and gender bias, even in the military. I would go as far as to say that of most of the organizations that exist, the military has made the greatest strides in providing opportunities for women to lead and develop as great leaders. Yet, like with any organization, there is always room for improvement. We are still witnessing women stepping into certain leadership positions for the very first time in the history of the military:

• AUGUST 2015 - 1st Lieutenant Shaye Haver and Captain Kristen Griest made history when they received their Ranger Tabs, becoming the first women ever to successfully complete the U.S. Army’s Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

• AUGUST 2017 – Simone Askew became the first African American woman to