51. Ownership, Leadership and Attitude with Mike Minihan (Part 1 of 2)

Lead Into It

What makes a leader worth following?

In this episode, retired General Mike Minihan, former commander of Air Mobility Command, shares the leadership philosophy that shaped his 35-year Air Force career, centered on "OLA": Ownership, Leadership, and Attitude.

From his early days as a lieutenant to leading 110,000 airmen, General Minihan returns to one powerful truth: credibility starts with doing your job—and doing it well. He also reflects on the 2023 memo that made headlines, how it shaped perceptions, and what it revealed about his leadership style. Through it all, his clarity of purpose and commitment to readiness shine through.

Perhaps most striking is his view on "worthiness"—a question he asked himself often: Do I deserve this level of trust? That mindset drove him to lead with both conviction and care.

If you're in any kind of leadership role, this conversation is a must-listen.

And don’t miss part two next week, where we dig into mental health, legacy, and the human side of command.

Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco.

Excited to be back with you!

Chapters

1. Introduction to General Mike Minahan (00:00:00)

2. Leadership Philosophy: OLA Framework (00:09:32)

3. Unleashing Airmen's Ideas and Innovation (00:18:20)

4. The Memo: Taking Bold Leadership Risks (00:28:11)

5. Roles vs. Responsibilities in Command (00:37:26)

6. Everyone's Importance to the Mission (00:49:17)