Leadership is a quality that is essential in both personal and professional settings. Everyone can strive to become a leader, regardless of their occupation or life circumstances. And that is what McKenzie Jackson, our mentor for a NOVA Bulls Organization mentorship session, believes. Born and raised in Lynchburg, VA, and serving in the U.S. Air Force for 14 years, McKenzie has gained extensive experience in leadership. In this blog post, we will delve into his career and the lessons learned in leadership.

Education and Military Service

McKenzie Jackson has a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Computational Science and Business, with a minor in Information Security. Currently, he is pursuing a Master's in Executive Leadership. McKenzie served the United States Air Force for fourteen years and was stationed in several places, including Keesler AFB in MS, MacDill AFB in FL, Soto Cano AB in Honduras, and NRO Chantilly, to mention a few. His military career, combined with his academic background, has provided him with a deep understanding of leadership.

Leadership Attributes

When asked about leadership, McKenzie shared some of the essential attributes that he believes every leader should possess. Integrity is a crucial trait as a leader serves as a role model for many. Additionally, they must have empathy, the ability to listen and understand others, and provide support when needed. Other critical qualities that a leader must possess include vision, strategic thinking, and effective communication.

Lessons Learned

McKenzie has learned many lessons in leadership throughout his career. He emphasizes the significance of perspective in driving performance. How one views a situation or task affects how they approach it. He also stresses the importance of attitude, stating that it determines one's altitude. Your attitude towards a situation can positively or negatively impact the outcome. He adds that your actions must align with your words. McKenzie believes that it is essential to treat every aspect of life as a competition and work hard.

Application in Life and Sports

Apart from the role of leadership in our professional lives, it also plays a crucial role in our personal lives. In life, McKenzie stresses competition, stating that we should treat every aspect of life, like we do sports. He encourages individuals to strive to be the best versions of themselves continually. McKenzie adds that a student-athlete's priority should be their academics. In sports, he stresses the importance of teamwork. He says that there is no "I" in team, but there is a "me." Your energy, effort, and execution contribute to the success of the team.

Can you commit to the process without being emotionally tied to the results? This is a critical question that McKenzie poses to aspiring athletes. He reminds them that their actions must align with their words. The way you behave outside of the court or field affects your performance.

In conclusion, leadership is a significant aspect of life that everyone can strive to refine and improve. McKenzie Jackson, our mentor for the NOVA Bulls Organization mentorship session, has shared valuable insights into leadership that can be applied in both our personal and professional lives. From viewing things from a different perspective to having a positive attitude and showing up regardless of the outcome, we can all put these into practice. Ultimately, we should all strive to become better leaders, regardless of our occupation or life circumstances.