In this Veteran’s Day special edition of the NEGOTIATEx podcast, Shannon Huffman Polson, a former U.S. Army Apache helicopter pilot and author of “The Grit Factor,” discusses her unexpected journey into the military through ROTC at Duke University. She highlights the invaluable ‘make-it-happen’ mindset she acquired during her military tenure and how it bolstered her pursuits in academia, the corporate world, and nonprofit sectors. Additionally, Shannon delves into her definition of ‘grit’ as “dogged determination in difficult circumstances” and shares personal stories emphasizing its significance. The podcast touches upon challenges faced by women in male-dominated fields and the importance of genuine inclusivity in leadership roles.