223: Leaders with Heart Choose How to React

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In this episode, Heather chats with Chief Master Sergeant Christopher J. Almeria. He is currently assigned as the Senior Enlisted Leader, 20th Maintenance Group, 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw AFB, SC. In this role, he is charged with leading, developing, and managing the nearly 2,000 personnel who make up the Air Force’s lead Viper maintenance complex in Air Combat Command and the lead/pacing F-16 maintenance organization in the entire United States Air Force. Take a listen!

Key Takeaways

  • Understanding your people is key
  • It only takes one hour to get to know your team members
  • Leaders mirror what they see other leaders do
  • You are in control of how you react to scenarios
  • Good leaders are understanding

Chris Almeria’s Bio

Chief Master Sergeant Christopher J. Almeria is currently assigned as the Senior Enlisted Leader, 20th Maintenance Group, 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw AFB, SC. In this role, he is charged with leading, developing, and managing the nearly 2,000 personnel who make up the Air Force’s lead Viper maintenance complex in Air Combat Command and the lead/pacing F-16 maintenance organization in the entire United States Air Force. The Group manages the Air Force’s largest combat coded F-16 “Wild Weasel” fleet of 79 aircraft, valued at over 1.4 billion dollars, and is responsible for worldwide contingency response and national security objectives. Chief Almeria was born in Middletown, New York, and entered the Air Force in June 1992. His background is in Aerospace Propulsion (Jet Engines), and has held positions as a Lead Technician, Production Superintendent, Shop Chief, and First Sergeant. His assignments include bases in California, Washington, New Mexico, Japan, Korea, and Belgium, along with multiple deployments around the globe.

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Through candid conversations with executives, frontline leaders, coaches, and everyday heroes, Heather uncovers the real stories behind growth, compassion, setbacks, and transformation.

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Those years taught me how to lead. But they also showed me the hidden cost of always being the one who holds it all together.

During our second reorg in less than a year, I walked out of a meeting with no say in what was happening, just marching orders. When my team asked how the meeting went, I should have said, “Give me 15 minutes to process this.” But I didn't. Instead, I let them absorb every ounce of my frustration.

Then I saw their faces.

The people who looked to me for stability had just watched me unravel. What was that teaching them about their ability to handle the pressure?

That moment changed how I saw my role as a leader. Leading teams isn't only about grit or resilience. It's about how your presence builds the trust your team needs to function when things get hard.

Today, I help organizations build unshakable leaders, teams, and cultures. Because when leaders become the calm teams can count on, organizations don't just survive change, they come out strong enough to handle what’s next.

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Contact Heather Today!
+1 403-398-8488

Contact
Contact

I'm really interested in...

(select all that apply)*

I can be reached at...

Additional Comments