Life as a Commanding Officer: Strong Enough to Lead, Human Enough to Care (ft. LTC Amanda Pelkowski, US Air Force, Commanding Officer)

What does it really mean to do both—to be human and be in command? Command can feel intimidating, but this conversation is for young leaders who dream of taking command—or doubt they can. The truth? You absolutely can.In this episode, Kellie sits down with LTC Amanda Pelkowski, an Air Force Academy graduate whose 17-year career has included deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the UAE, a tour at the Pentagon, and two command assignments—most recently as Commander of the 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida.Drawing on her experiences leading across the globe, Amanda shares honest insights and practical tips for both aspiring and current commanders: why command is a team sport, when it’s okay to be the sledgehammer, and the importance of addressing problems head-on. She reflects on what she would have done differently, the power of a supportive partner, and the challenge of balancing marriage with the demands of leadership. From the hard work leaders owe their people to the nuances of leading on social media, Amanda shows that effective leadership is about more than authority—it’s about blending strength and humanity.Show Notes~Amanda's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda.pelkowski/Enjoyed this episode? Check out kelliesbrocchi.com and follow me on IG at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellie.sbrocchi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Loved the show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@doboth.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠? Leave a review and let me know what you learned—I'd love to hear from you! #DoBoth ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠TikTok