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12 May 2014
Do you really know your people?
What makes a leader? You can ask anyone this question, and every time you'll get a different answer.When I think of the great leaders I've had the honor and privilege to work with, I think of all the similar traits and qualities they shared. The most important is their ability to effectively communicate with subordinates.I believe for someone to be
2 May 2014
Winning ways, culture lead to victory
After several years of being unable to put the right pieces together, the Boston Red Sox figured it out. They developed a system, a strategy and a culture that led them back to victory. A shared vision between owner, general manager and manager resulted in the execution of their strategy and a new winning culture.Geno Auriemma, head coach of the
2 May 2014
Respect: Give it, get it
In preparation for this article, the one thing that kept coming to mind was respect. We all hold a key position in the military where respect plays a huge part in our daily interaction. Unfortunately, I'm sure you have all encountered a lack thereof at some point in your career. Respect is a feeling or understanding that someone or something is
28 Apr 2014
Excellence unexpected result of mistakes
In our present environment of force shaping actions and an increasing expectation to do more with less, the idea exists that perfection is expected. While excellence remains one of our core values, our heritage is wrought with leaders, who are both men and women, great and small, that questioned the status quo and were not afraid to make mistakes,
21 Apr 2014
Comprehensive support system helps unit resiliency
In today's Air Force environment of force restructure, budgetary constraints, continued mission requirements and resiliency, establishing a comprehensive support system in a unit is absolutely essential for success. Each organizational tier, whether at the element, flight or squadron level, must be resilient and have support mechanisms in place to
21 Apr 2014
Preparing for next rank makes successful Airmen
As Airmen we have many responsibilities and duties we must carry out in accordance with our jobs. According to AFI 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure, our responsibilities are as follows: junior enlisted Airmen initially focus on adapting to military requirements, achieving occupational proficiency and learning how to become highly productive
15 Apr 2014
Three steps to avoid ‘toxic leadership’
Toxic leadership. Sadly, this term has recently become vogue in the lexicon of the Defense Department to describe leaders possessing unfavorable leadership characteristics and whose actions eventually rot an organization from the inside out. Examples of these leaders drape across the weekly headlines and sound bites of newspapers, radio and
4 Apr 2014
Culture trumps strategy any day
With more than 24 years in the military, I have come to realize the old adage, "Culture will eat strategy for lunch every day of the week" is a true statement, and we as Airmen have a responsibility to cultivate an inspiring and healthy workplace culture. Every organization has a culture. Some are very toxic and crippling, while others are
4 Apr 2014
Be successful no matter where you are
It's human nature to be competitive, and with the Air Force having to make tough decisions during force shaping, no one can afford not to be competitive. In order to be competitive in the Air Force, it will take a whole-person concept, which has been around for years and consists of work ethic, self-improvement and community involvement. I know a
31 Mar 2014
‘Burn the boats’
Though I have read a little about history and a little more about business and leadership, the first time I heard the expression, "Burn the boats," was just a few weeks ago. It prompted me to look into this theory a little further. The phrase is most attributed to Spanish Conquistador Hernando Cortez when he landed in Mexico in 1519 with only one