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Oct. 23, 2015 COMMENTARY Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
2 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
Humility in leadership — people chief asset
hallelujah NIGHT by Maj. (Dr.) environment of mutual respect and communication, people
3$75,&.),1.%21( of all levels will feel comfortable to share their thoughts.
Carnival games 6:00pm to 9pm Some of the best ideas can come from unexpected sources.
56th Medical Group
SATURDAY / OCTOBER / 24th / 2015 I have been in operating rooms during some of my train-
7KHGHÀQLWLRQRIKXPLOLW\LV´WKH ing where this was not the environment. In these cases, the
FOOD - CANDY - FACE PAINTING quality or state of not thinking you surgeon may have been prideful or may have felt threat-
PETTING ZOO - PONY CARROUSEL – BOUNCE CASTLE are better than other people.” ened when others made suggestions. They responded by
either ignoring or belittling them in the operating room.
[ALL FREE] This is not a trait we commonly There was no dialogue in these rooms. Members of the team
attribute to our leaders. In fact, felt underutilized and sometimes appeared disinterested
Luke Community Chapel 856.6211 when we think of a leadership role in what was going on. Avoidable mistakes were sometimes
Maj. (Dr.) Patrick Finkbone we often imagine one who is telling made because of this refusal to listen to others.
For more information contact RWKHUVZKDWWRGRDQGKRZWRGRLWZLWKWKHFRQÀGHQFHWKDW
they know better than anyone under their supervision. My policy is to leave pride out of the operating room
ACTION LINE However, this mentality can be counter-productive and or any working environment as everyone on the team is
limits the potential of the team. working together toward one goal and should be free to
56fw.pa@us.af.mil This point is best portrayed in a quote by John Ruskin, voice their opinion on how best to accomplish the goal.
a former English writer. 8OWLPDWHO\WKHOHDGHUZLOOEHWKHRQHWRPDNHWKHÀQDOGHFL-
The Commander’s Action Line ´, EHOLHYH WKH ÀUVW WHVW RI D JUHDW PDQ LV KLV KXPLOLW\ sion. However, all ideas should be invited and considered.
is your direct line to me with I don’t mean by humility, doubt of his power. But really
questions or suggestions about great men have a curious feeling that the greatness is not When leaders have humility, it empowers their sub-
subjects of concern to the entire of them, but through them.” ordinates to work to their full potential. A leader who is
Luke Air Force Base community. I have been in the Air Force only a short amount of humble establishes a precedence that is carried all the
time (two years active duty), and I have limited leader- way down the chain. If subordinates feel there is mutual
I appreciate your feedback. ship experience. However, being an orthopedic surgeon, respect between them and their supervisors, they are often
Your ideas and concerns help I am the leader in the operating room, tasked with the motivated to work hard for those supervisors. Additionally,
build a stronger foundation on gift and responsibility of taking care of the patient on the if subordinates suggest ideas and changes are made, they
which we can successfully com- table. Additionally, while in clinic there are orthopedic will take more ownership of that job and work harder to be
plete our mission and take care technicians under my instruction and supervision. These PRUHHIÀFLHQWDQGSUHFLVH,WLVDOVRPXFKHDVLHUWRZRUN
of our people. leadership experiences have truly been a humbling and hard when you believe in what you are doing and how you
rewarding experience. are doing it.
Action Lines of general inter- Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus As a leader, you need to realize that your greatest as-
est are printed in the Thunder- 56th FW commander set is the people on your team. We have all been blessed Good leaders are able to unify and inspire their team
bolt. Remember, the quickest with different qualities and experiences. No matter what by being humble. They realize they are not always going
DQG PRVW HIÀFLHQW ZD\ WR UHVROYH D SUREOHP LV WR WDON level of education, rank or training people have, there is to be the smartest or best at everything, but rather need
directly to the responsible agency or through your chain always something they can offer to the team. Everyone has WRÀJXUHRXWZKRRQWKHLUWHDPLVWKHVPDUWHVWDQGEHVW
of command. a different perspective and viewpoint. By opening up an Ronald Reagan said, “The greatest leader is not necessarily
the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that
The Action Line isn’t just for complaints. Send along gets people to do the greatest things.”
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JRHVRXWRIWKHLUZD\WRKHOSRUGHVHUYHVDNLQGZRUG The “It’s not my problem” is a problem
PHONE NUMBERS E\7HFK6JW mous inscription on President Harry and friend. While these roles tra-
-26(3+6/$8*+7(5 Truman’s desk, I believe that, “The ditionally seem contrary to being a
Airman and Family Readiness Center ....................... 623-856-6550 Buck Stops Here.” I fully accept military leader, it is absolutely nec-
Chapel ................................................................... 623-856-6211 56th Maintenance Group responsibility for the actions of my essary when promoting professional
Child Care Center ...................................................623-856-6339 Airmen and take every opportunity development. As an NCO, I’m sure
Community Center ............................................... 623-856-7152 In an Air Force where being a to mentor and guide them through you have heard at least once that a
Computer IT service desk .................................. DSN 945-2900 leader at all levels is highly encour- an ever-more demanding Air Force subordinate is not your friend. You
Eye Clinic ............................................................. 623-856-7965 aged, it is becoming increasingly career. I do this because I care and have been told that being friends
Fitness Center ....................................................... 623-856-6241 disturbing to me that people just do because it is my problem. represents an unprofessional re-
Flight Medicine .................................................... 623-856-2273 not seem to care. They are so focused lationship. Well, I’m hear to say,
Fraud, waste and abuse hotline ............................ 623-856-6149 on their particular area of respon- Recently, the chief of staff of the that line of thinking is outdated and
Hobby shop .......................................................... 623-856-6722 sibility, that when something new Air Force gave a speech at Luke Air wrong. You should know the Air-
+RXVLQJRI¿FH or unknown arises, they routinely Force Base during which he said we men around you like you know your
Law enforcement desk ......................................... 623-856-5970 brush it off as “not my problem.” need to care more. He expounded friends. Not only will this help you
Legal assistance .................................................... 623-856-6901 by saying that we need to take a identify with them but it will help
Library .................................................................. 623-856-7191 While this obviously does not personal interest in those around them identify and feel comfortable
Marketing ............................................................. 623-856-3245 apply to all Airmen, I find myself us, not just their military life but with you. This sense of comfort can
Military Equal Opportunity ................................. 623-856-7711 more frequently having to resolve their personal life as well. I support
Military pay .......................................................... 623-856-7028 issues not necessarily related to me his statement fully. Airmen are con- See PROBLEM, Page 7
2I¿FHRI6SHFLDO,QYHVWLJDWLRQ .............................623-856-6821 because someone else decided it was stantly looking for a leader, mentor
Outdoor Recreation .............................................. 623-856-6267 not their problem. Much like the fa-
Pass and registration ............................................. 623-856-4880
Patient advocate ................................................... 623-856-8968 Luke Editorial Staff 7KH7KXQGHUEROWXVHVPDWHULDOIURPWKH$UPHG)RUFHV,QIRUPDWLRQ6HUYLFH$LU
Public Affairs ........................................................ 623-856-5853 )RUFH1HZV6HUYLFH$(7&1HZV6HUYLFHDQGRWKHUVRXUFHV$OODGYHUWLVLQJLVKDQGOHG
Security Forces ..................................................... 623-856-5970 Commander.......................................................... Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus E\$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZ7KH\FDQEHUHDFKHGE\FDOOLQJ
Straight Talk Line ................................................. 623-856-7064 Public Affairs chief ...................................................... Maj. Matt Hasson
Sexual Assault Prevention/Response .................. 623-856-4878 Public Affairs deputy chief ........................................... Kiley Dougherty 7KH7KXQGHUEROWLVSXEOLVKHGE\$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZDSULYDWH¿UPLQQR
Vehicle Maintenance ............................................ 623-935-6576 Internal information........................................ Staff Sgt. Luther Mitchell ZD\FRQQHFWHGZLWKWKH86$LU)RUFHXQGHUH[FOXVLYHZULWWHQFRQWUDFWZLWKWKHWK
Veterinary services ............................................... 623-856-6354 Editor ........................................................................... Deborah Leuthold )LJKWHU:LQJ/XNH$LU)RUFH%DVH$UL]7KLVFLYLOLDQHQWHUSULVH$LU)RUFHQHZVSDSHU
Wellness Center .................................................... 623-856-2273 Designer .................................................................................Tinna Sellie LVDQDXWKRUL]HGSXEOLFDWLRQIRUPHPEHUVRIWKH86PLOLWDU\VHUYLFHV&RQWHQWVRIWKH
Youth Center ......................................................... 623-856-7470 7KXQGHUEROWDUHQRWQHFHVVDULO\WKHRI¿FLDOYLHZVRIRUHQGRUVHGE\WKH86JRYHUQ
Editorial Information PHQWWKH'HSDUWPHQWRI'HIHQVHRUWKH'HSDUWPHQWRIWKH$LU)RUFH
For past issues of the Thunderbolt, go to 7KHDSSHDUDQFHRIDGYHUWLVLQJLQWKLVSXEOLFDWLRQLQFOXGLQJLQVHUWVRUVXSSOHPHQWV
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