As kids, we were unafraid to dream big. Minus the social awkwardness of the teenage years, we generally weren’t swayed by other people’s expectations of us or their perceptions of our dreams. For some odd reason, the older we get, the more susceptible we are to being influenced by society’s expectations of us. Somewhere along the way, we seem to subdue our dreams, become more reserved in our ambition, and guarded against judgment from others.
Failures can knock us down, make us lose confidence in ourselves and can threaten to prevent us from trying again. When I was in pilot training, I failed one of my earliest checkrides (an important “flying test”). I encountered a plethora of maintenance problems when I went to start the jet, which was frustrating. But, once in the air, I flew pretty darn well. However, once on the ground, the instructor informed me I had failed the checkride.
Nicole Malachowski was a highly decorated “full bird” colonel when she was forced to leave military service due to health issues. But it wasn’t a combat injury that cut short...
Nicole Malachowski |
What does it mean to belong? It’s a single word with huge significance. The feeling of belonging is a fundamental part of human nature, it’s about connectedness and acceptance. As...
Nicole Malachowski |
By definition, I’m a procrastinator. I’ve been this way for as long as I can remember. Yet, I consider myself a successful person, personally and professionally. Every article I’ve ever...
Nicole Malachowski |
As kids, we were unafraid to dream big. Minus the social awkwardness of the teenage years, we generally weren’t swayed by other people’s expectations of us or their perceptions of...
Nicole Malachowski |
Think, for a second, about all of the times in your life where you’ve taken a risk that paid off. Now, think about the times where you avoided any risk...
Nicole Malachowski |
Hands down, this is arguably my favorite photo taken during my time serving on the Thunderbirds…because of the story behind it. I had just landed from flying in my first...
Nicole Malachowski |
Today, President Biden appointed 22 members to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. The Commission is composed of outstanding citizens who reflect the diversity and strength of America while...
Nicole Malachowski |
What do you think is the most important trait of an effective leader? This is a time-honored question asked in the halls of academia, written in the prose of leadership...
Nicole Malachowski |
It’s safe to say that most of us want to be successful in life, both personally and professionally. Most of us know that we get to define what success looks...
Nicole Malachowski |
Stricken With A Debilitating Tick-Borne Illness, The First Female Thunderbird Pilot Shares Her Resilience Secret. Read the Forbes article here!
Nicole Malachowski |
Mindset is everything. Many of you have heard the saying “life isn’t about what happens to you, but how you react to it”. It has taken me years to fully...
Nicole Malachowski |
As a fighter pilot and combat-proven flight lead, one of the very last things I’d say to my wingmen before stepping to our jets was “When in doubt, always honor...
Nicole Malachowski |