Nurture Abilities to Cultivate Confidence

It is such an honor to have retired U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Mike Lanpolsaen on this episode. Mike is currently working with an incredible servant leadership organization - the Warrior Scholar Project - they introduce participants to analytical reading, writing, and other academic and everyday skills crucial to success in higher education and help them become informed consumers of higher education and it is offered at no cost to veterans and enlisted service members. Mike highlights aspects of this organization that we can look to as servant leaders, and he also gives us many other things to reflect upon as we think about our leadership journey. We discuss ways to think deeper about how to connect to every level of our organization, while Mike models the astute confidence building of the Warrior Scholar Project that many of us could look to replicate in other aspects. Mike models the way and illustrates his own vulnerability, discussing Imposter Syndrome and how we need to build connections to strengthen our ability to learn to believe in ourselves. Mike discusses how 100% of past participants want to give back and how the professors donate their time and talents. Mike is giving us a formula to build confidence in our team members in a way that their abilities will be nurtured to dream great dreams and they too will give back and serve others.  Mike Lanpolsaen was born in Thailand and immigrated to the USA at the age of 11. He comes from a large family of 5 brothers and 5 sisters. After graduating from Murphy High School NC, he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps on October 1989 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. As Sergeant Major, he was the command senior enlisted leader of 3d Intelligence Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, Inspector General of the Marine Corps, and Marine Corps Recruiting Command.  Mike Lanpolsaen personal awards includes the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with combat “V”, Meritorious Service Medal with a gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a gold star, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon with a gold star in lieu of second award.  Mike retired in November 2019 with 30 years of active-duty service and joined the Warrior Scholar Project in January 2020. He is proud to be a part of this awesome national non-profit organization that strive to provide inclusive support and skill-bridge programming to ensure the success of veterans in higher education. Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, General Studies (Summa Cum Laude) from American Military University.  Resources:  Warrior Scholar Project  https://www.warrior-scholar.org/ Jay Price - For Veterans Starting College 'Academic Boot Camps' Ease The Transition To The Classroom https://americanhomefront.wunc.org/news/2021-08-16/for-veterans-starting-college-academic-boot-camps-ease-the-transition-to-the-classroom Larry Spears - Ten Characteristics of Servant Leadership https://www.spearscenter.org/46-uncategorised/136-ten-characteristics-of-servant-leadership Leslie Jamison - Why Everyone Feels Like They're Faking It https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/02/13/the-dubious-rise-of-impostor-syndrome Elizabeth Cox - What is imposter syndrome and how you combat it? https://youtu.be/ZQUxL4Jm1Lo Michelle Obama explains imposter syndrome https://youtu.be/dumm_XfHkmY