For Steve Miska, leadership isn’t born in a lecture hall. It is forged in high-stakes environments where communication and climate can mean the difference between life and death. A West Point graduate and 25-year Army veteran, Miska served as an Infantry Task Force Commander during the Iraq War and later as Director for Iraq on the National Security Council at the White House.
His wartime memoir, Baghdad Underground Railroad, chronicles his grueling efforts to protect and evacuate Iraqi translators who risked everything alongside American troops. Across every theater of his career (which included founding the Evacuate Our Allies Operations Center as well as standing up the Department of Veterans Affairs’ massive PACT Act implementation team which ensured delivery of healthcare to millions exposed to toxic hazards) Miska has anchored his work in a single core objective: building climates of respect, vulnerability, and transparency.
Through his Substack, Wrangling and Writing, Miska translates decades of institutional and combat experience into practical insights on organizational climate. His essays demystify complex leadership dynamics, breaking down principles like the “Rule of 7” (using multiple communication channels to ensure a message is truly understood) and the “Doctrine of No Surprises.”
Writing with the humble authority of an experienced mentor, Miska advocates for breaking down rigid hierarchies. From treating government contractors with the same dignity as federal employees to establishing monthly team alignment sessions, his guidance offers a modern playbook for cultivating high-performing teams where people feel safe enough to be vulnerable and express their real concerns.
Currently on a nationwide “horse farm sabbatical” throughout 2026, Miska uses his publication to bridge his past leadership roles with a creative journey in expressive writing and equine therapy. As an amateur ranch hand traveling from farm to farm (trading morning chores and stall-mucking for lodging) he pairs reflections on human-animal bonds with a quest to understand the cultural divisions fraying modern society.
Steve recognizes alarming echoes of foreign sectarian rhetoric in today’s national discourse. He uses his travels to “story-lift” hidden gems in rural and equine communities, searching for common ground and spreading what he calls a much-needed “dose of sunshine” in a polarized landscape.
At its heart, Wrangling and Writing serves as a space for leaders, veterans, and curious readers seeking to grow without losing their humanity. Miska seamlessly weaves together vignettes of military loss, administrative triumphs, and lighthearted interactions with horses named Milly and Guapo to demonstrate that service takes many forms.
Whether analyzing team dynamics, reflecting on the fallen for Memorial Day, or mentoring the next generation of public servants, Miska writes with profound humility. His words remind us that true leadership requires continuous learning, active listening, and an unyielding commitment to serving the public good.
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