Page 10 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 11-13-15

Nov. 13, 2015 News Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
10 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
SPARK (from Page 2) inspire your superiors to become better lead papers; you lead people. Unless your
3KRHQL[6XQV OHDGHUVWKXVDGGLQJIXHOWRWKHÀUH Airmen see you and can speak with you,
EDVNHWEDOOFOLQLF and risky decisions because they know there will be a void and a lost opportunity
you are humble enough to understand 7KLV OHDGV WR WKH ÀQDO DQG PRVW GLIÀ- to create a spark.
Larry Keen you do not know everything and you FXOWDUHDZKHUH\RXQHHGWRFUHDWHDÀUH
will do your research before making within yourself. I associate this to trying Finally, let others inspire you. Get out
7KHWK)RUFH6XSSRUW6TXDGURQ<RXWK recommendations. They know you are to light a match in a windstorm. While not and see the great work our Airmen are
&HQWHU3KRHQL[6XQV%DVNHWEDOO&OLQLF approachable enough they can discuss impossible, it is extremely challenging. accomplishing. Let the positive attitude
ZDV6DWXUGD\RQ/XNH$LU)RUFH%DVH things without you looking at them like Changing something within ourselves of the hard workers become contagious
The event, which included coaching they are absolutely crazy, and credible takes great dedication and drive. When DQGÀJXUHRXWKRZWRJHWWKRVHZKRDUH
IURP%RE/DQLHU1%$+DOORI)DPH7RP to the point where whatever advice you times are tough, you must have the will less inspired to be more so. Seeing them
&KDPEHUVIRXUWLPH1%$$OO6WDU6WHYH provide is factual and based upon sound to not give in. change will help inspire you.
+XQWHU3KRHQL[6XQVDPEDVVDGRUDQG judgment and common sense.
DOXPQLSOD\HUWKH3KRHQL[6XQV*RULOOD It is more than just getting internally ,WLVYLWDOZHVWDUWDÀUHLQWKH$LU)RUFH
*RDQG3KRHQL[6XQVVWDIIWDXJKWWKH For instance, I worked for a group motivated to do daily tasks, it is about by inspiring our Airmen to do the best
PRUHWKDQ7KXQGHUEROWVEDVNHWEDOO commander at a previous duty assign- becoming the best at what we do, in ev- at everything they do. It is important to
VNLOOVDQGKRZWRH[HUFLVHSURSHUO\ ment who would question me about a erything we do — addressing each task provide the fuel and the air to the spark
variety of issues, how I responded deter- as if it were the most important thing in in your subordinates and your leaders.
mined how deep he would dive into the UHJDUGV WR QDWLRQDO VHFXULW\ 0XFK OLNH Become a leader that is humble, approach-
discussion. If I did my homework and our Air Force core value, “Excellence in All able, and credible and treat yourself and
told him all the facts, risks, issues and :H'RµWKLVLVDQLQWHUQDOÀUHWKDWVKRXOG \RXUFDUHHUOLNHDÀUH,I\RXGRQRWIHHGLW
recommended solutions, he would tell not and must never be extinguished. If and keep it burning, it will die off and you
me, “Fair enough ... press on.” If I didn’t \RXUÀUHJRHVRXWDQG\RXORVHWKDWVSDUN will be left standing in the dark.
provide him the answer he was looking expect those around you to see and feel
for, he would continue to dig until he was the effects, thereby affecting the mission. The famous business philosopher, Jim
VDWLVÀHG,KDGDJRRGJUDVSRIWKHLVVXH Rohn, stated, “The challenge of leader-
I quickly learned I could never go to him There were times in my career where ship is to be strong, but not rude; be kind,
with a “no” answer; it was always a “yes P\ ÁDPH EHJDQ WR ÁLFNHU ,W WRRN VHY- but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be
sir, we can do this, but here are the risks eral mentors and good friends of mine thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but
and here is how we can mitigate those to put me back on track. They reminded not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have
risks.” Our relationship grew stronger PHZK\,EHJDQWKLVMRXUQH\LQWKHÀUVW humor, but without folly.”
because he always knew I would not place — wanting to serve our country.
just provide him with a surface answer They reminded me that what I was doing 6RIHHG\RXUÀUH/HDGHUVKLSLVQRWDQ
to appease him, but would, in fact, relay was much larger than I was and it was exact science; it takes trial and error.
to him an honest-to-god assessment of not about me, it was about the Airmen I It is important to educate yourselves
the issue. was leading. It was about making the next and become more informed on not only
generation better than mine. leadership, but anything can make you
If you can focus on becoming humble, more credible. Understand you will make
approachable and credible, you will not Get out from behind your desk and mistakes. Own your mistakes and teach
only become a better leader, but you will be an involved leader. Far too often, we others to do the same.
get bogged down with the day-to-day
paperwork that we forget you cannot 1RZ JR RXW FUHDWH WKDW VSDUN DQG
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