Keynotes
Five talks on courage, resilience and purpose
Each keynote draws on Shannon’s years flying the Apache and leading in the corporate world, and is shaped to your audience, whether executive teams, women in leadership, veterans or an all-company kickoff.

The Grit Factor: Courage and Resilience in Times of Challenge and Change
Grit isn't grinding harder. It is a practice you build before you need it. Drawn from Shannon's book, published by Harvard Business Review Press.
The Grit Factor keynote gives your organization a framework and tactical takeaways to find their own grit factor, strengthening individuals and teams to get through the most challenging times and reach their greatest goals.
Your audience will leave able to
- Use the Grit Triad (Commit, Learn, Launch) on a challenge they face this quarter
- Tell grit from grind, and stop rewarding the burnout that looks like commitment
- Keep a team steady through change by naming what isn’t changing
- Turn a setback into the raw material of leadership
More keynotes
The Grit Mindset
Most high achievers were taught that grit means pushing harder, sleeping less and never slowing down. Real grit is steadier than that.
Come away with specific understanding and tactical steps to own a grit mindset, overcome obstacles and reach your biggest goals.
Your audience will leave able to
- Explain why grinding harder fails, and what to do instead
- Start small daily habits that build grit and resilience
- Stay clear and decisive under pressure
- Talk about mindset in one shared language across the team
Leading with Purpose
The North Star looks like one point of light. It is actually three. Purpose works the same way.
Leading with Purpose connects your people and your teams to their deepest why, increasing engagement, performance and connection.
Your audience will leave able to
- Use the Polaris Principle to name their purpose and connect it to the organization’s
- Reconnect a tired team to meaning
- Check everyday decisions against purpose
- Build trust that lasts beyond the event
Leadership Storytelling
People don't follow strategy decks. They follow stories they can see themselves in.
Leaders come away with specific examples, an understanding of the fundamentals of story, and how to use them to drastically amplify your impact.
Your audience will leave able to
- Find a true story in their own experience that carries their message
- Shape it with a simple structure so it lands
- Use story to explain change and earn trust
- Build credibility through honesty, not polish
The Best of Both Worlds: Veteran Hires in Corporate America
Veterans bring leadership under pressure, mission focus and teamwork. Companies that know how to use it win twice.
The Best of Both Worlds helps your organization increase veteran retention and engagement, strengthen teams and improve outcomes.
Your audience will leave able to
- Name what veterans bring that hiring managers often miss
- Spot where the military-to-corporate transition stalls, and fix it in onboarding
- Recruit, onboard and keep veteran talent
- Build a culture where veterans lead
Interested in a virtual keynote, webinar or online training?
Send me a note!
Book a call with ShannonSpeaker reel
Watch Shannon on stage
From the frontlines to the boardroom, Shannon delivers keynotes that inspire leaders, ignite teams, and transform audiences worldwide.
















Top rated by the world’s best organizations
In the cockpit and on the stage
From the frontlines to the boardroom
Military and corporate veteran Shannon Huffman Polson brings stories, lessons learned and tactical takeaways from her own deep experience in leading teams through times of challenge and change in and out of the cockpit.












Testimonials
Testimonials for Shannon Huffman Polson’s recent keynotes and appearances
“By far the highlight of our meeting. Everyone loved her. 100% NPS for Shannon’s training—world class!”
“Shannon Polson scored 90% top two box! That is the highest score for all of our sessions over the two-day period. There were glowing verbatims as well.”
“Rave reviews! TWO standing ovations!”
“The presentation was captivating and delivered everything that we could have wanted. A lot of buzz has been created around the presentation… She hit on all the topics we discussed in our initial discussion, leadership, adversity, innovation, change, living up to high standards, doing your best work under pressure, etc. It was perfect.”
“Shannon COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER. Obviously, her story and insights were great, but, on top of that, she was personable and connected with so many of the attendees.”
“It was such a joy having you at Workday Rising for PwC’s inaugural VIP Women’s Breakfast. People are still talking about the networking, connections, and lasting relationships that came from the vulnerability and power you brought to your keynote.”
“The presentation has already had an impact company wide in terms of getting people aligned with vernacular and mindset.”
“Shannon provided the ‘wow factor’ that we strive to deliver to our members.”
“Shannon was an absolute star, helping my team through the most challenging time in our business. Ten out of ten is not high enough marks.”
“There are similarities in business to learn from her experience, to launch your team to drive to mission critical outcomes. Very inspiring!”
“Your work provided a superb framework for our development of leaders of characters in the profession of arms.”
“A huge hit and very inspiring! As I type this, I am overhearing the clients talk about her and how they are planning to continue to pull her message through the rest of the meetings.”
“Shannon was amazing! She did a great job summarizing the day and leaving our company energized to face the wind and fly through it! We couldn’t be happier.”
“Shannon was Amazing! Our team absolutely loved her and her message. Her story was spot on with our mission and our goals for the meeting. She was outstanding!”
“Shannon is an outstanding presenter who inspires the audience to reach deep inside themselves to find the place where their passion meets their purpose.”
“Shannon’s insight on leading from any seat was extremely powerful and insightful! Shannon was an absolute joy to work with from start to finish and I would highly recommend her for any organization looking to inspire and reenergize its team!”
“Her passion and knowledge provided an undercurrent that left a deep impression on the audience. Shannon is skilled in constructing a narrative in a way that the structure disappears, revealing truths through reverie and shared experience.”
“Shannon has an amazing way with words - so much so that when I noticed she had left her remarks at the podium, I stormed the stage after her remarks to grab the notes, so that I could read and reread them. She’s a pro and our team really enjoyed working with her.”
“Shannon’s personal story of courage is both compelling and poignant. Her personal experiences are fascinating and creates the urgency to have each and every one of us explore our stories, values, and goals. Shannon’s “call to action” leaves an indelible mark.”
“I loved everything about the presentation. Shannon has so much energy in her talk, and is a fantastic storyteller. As someone who has very little exposure to the military, I was still able to visualize and empathize with everything Shannon spoke about. She has a very contagious optimism and presence, and I think everyone walked away feeling inspired and energized.”
The only good use of any power a leader has is the responsibility to take care of her people.Shannon Huffman Polson
Formats
However your event is built, Shannon fits.
Keynote
A signature 45–60 minute talk, tailored to your theme and audience.
Workshop
Half- or full-day interactive sessions that turn ideas into practice.
Virtual Keynote
Broadcast-quality remote talks for distributed teams and global events.
Fireside & Panel
Moderated conversations, Q&A, and panels that go deep, fast.
For conference and media planners
Planner resources
Downloads
Read from the stage
“Our next speaker was one of the first women to fly the Apache helicopter. She’s the author of The Grit Factor, and she’s here to show us what it really takes to lead when it counts. Please welcome Shannon Huffman Polson.”
Planner FAQ
Everything you need to book with confidence.
What kind of speaker is Shannon Huffman Polson?
Shannon is a top-rated leadership speaker, women’s leadership speaker, and inspirational and motivational keynote speaker. A woman veteran speaker and one of the first women to fly the Apache helicopter in the U.S. Army, she brings lessons from the cockpit and the boardroom to corporate meetings, women’s leadership conferences, Veterans Day programs and all-company kickoffs.
What topics does Shannon speak on?
Shannon speaks on grit and resilience, courageous leadership, leading and deciding under pressure, and women’s leadership. Her signature keynote is The Grit Factor: Courage and Resilience in Times of Challenge and Change. Every talk is tailored to your audience, theme, and the outcomes you’re after.
Does Shannon speak at Veterans Day events?
Yes. Shannon is a U.S. Army veteran and one of the first women to fly the Apache helicopter. Her keynote The Best of Both Worlds: Veteran Hires in Corporate America is built for Veterans Day programs, veteran ERGs, and HR and talent leaders. It helps your organization increase veteran retention and engagement, strengthen teams and improve outcomes.
Does Shannon deliver virtual keynotes?
Yes. Shannon delivers broadcast-quality virtual keynotes and fireside chats for distributed teams and global events, in addition to in-person engagements.
Can a keynote be customized for our organization?
Always. Every talk is shaped around your theme, your audience, and the outcomes you’re after. Shannon works with your team in advance so the message lands.
Does Shannon offer workshops as well as keynotes?
Yes. Half- and full-day workshops, fireside chats, and panels are available alongside her signature keynotes.
Where does Shannon travel from?
Shannon travels from Washington State and speaks to audiences across the country and around the world.
How do we check availability and fees?
Book a call with Shannon or email shannon@polsons.com. Share your date, audience, and goals, and you’ll get a fast, personal response.
Media Appearances
Shannon Huffman Polson, Author and Founder, The Grit Institute
The Global Interview
FT Business Books: September Edition
Financial Times
3 Steps To Develop Grit, According To One Of The Army’s First Female Apache Pilots
Forbes
The Most Important Trait for 2021
Psychology Today
I was one of the first female fighter helicopter pilots in the US Army. Here’s the technique I used to stay motivated while waiting for an assignment.
Business Insider
Opinion: What you can learn from two prisoners of war about coping with the coronavirus pandemic’s challenges
MarketWatch
Celebrate Service, Not a Uniform, This Veterans Day
Newsweek
This Military Mom’s ‘Grit’ Exercise Is Key to Surviving the Pandemic
Working Mother
Kamala Harris: Defusing Ambition As An Obstacle To Women In Power
Forbes
Former U.S. Army Captain Shannon Huffman Polson: Leaders have to Own Their Own Story
CRN
The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience, And Leadership In The Most Male-dominated Organization In The World, Reviewed
Irish Tech News
January 2021 Book Reviews
Association of the United States Army
Veteran Speaks About Overcoming Obstacles
American Press
Shannon Polson, Leader, Veteran, Real Grit
Women of Indy-fluence
Shannon Huffman Polson soars, Encourages Female Leadership
Kent Wired
Success requires a four letter word ending in “T”
The Sentinel
Polson Launches New Book The Grit Factor
Methow Valley News
Podcasts
- HBR IdeaCast
- Harvard Business Review webinar
- NAWLTalks: The Grit Factor
- The Unforgiving60
- Superhumans at Work by Mindvalley
- Partnering Leadership with Mahan Tavakoli
- From the Green Notebook
- DoDReads Podcast
- Be Brave at Work, Part 1
- Be Brave at Work, Part 2
- Irish Tech News
- Forging Mettle
- Michael Covel’s Trend Following
- What’s Next with John Baldoni & Rhett Power
- Grace Under Pressure
- #NatSecGirlSquad
- The Sydcast
- Aviation Careers Podcast
- Insight to Action
- How to Be a Better Person
- The Empowering Women Podcast
- High Performance Mindset
- Iron Sharpens Iron
- Rhett Power Live
- Leveraging Thought Leadership
- Manager Mojo
- Be Bold
- Veterans Artist Podcast
- Hazard Ground
- Challenge Your Thinking
- Artist’s Chat with Gar LaSalle
- Beyond the Blue Badge: Microsoft Alumni
- The Hidden Why
Next steps
Bring Shannon to your stage.
Interested in a virtual keynote, webinar or online training? Send me a note! I accept a small number of executive coaching clients each quarter. Please email if you would like to connect.
Email shannon@polsons.com, or call 509-996-8011
The Grit Institute
Lead Like Lives Depend On It.
One of the first women to fly the Apache helicopter, Shannon Huffman Polson is a keynote speaker on courage, resilience and purpose. She teaches leaders to thrive under pressure, build high performing teams in a culture of accountability, and lead with grit when it counts.




