Page 2 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 12-11-15

2 Desert Wings Commentary December 11, 2015
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by Senior Master Sgt. Michael Roxberry One of the best things you can do to help inspire your su- ,I\RXU¿UHJRHVRXWDQG\RXORVHWKDWVSDUNH[SHFWWKRVH
Moody AFB, Ga. periors is to become a humble, approachable and credible around you to see and feel the effects, thereby affecting the
leader. With these leadership traits, your leadership can be- mission.
As a leader, do not let your ego get in the way. Stand tall, but come comfortable making critical and risky decisions because
not above everyone else. Do not tell people what to do, show they know that you are humble enough to understand that you 7KHUHZHUHWLPHVLQP\FDUHHUZKHUHP\ÀDPHEHJDQWR
them. Showing them is what leading is all about. When you do not know everything and that you will do your research ÀLFNHU,WWRRNVHYHUDOPHQWRUVDQGJRRGIULHQGVRIPLQHWR
show them, you are creating that spark. before making recommendations. That you are approachable put me back on track. They reminded me why I began this
enough that they can discuss things without you looking at MRXUQH\LQWKH¿UVWSODFHZDQWLQJWRVHUYHRXUFRXQWU\7KH\
0XFKOLNHD¿UHLWDOOVWDUWVZLWKDVPDOOVSDUN,WVWDUWHGWKH them like they are absolutely crazy, and credible to the point reminded me that what I was doing was much larger than I
minute you stepped off the bus at basic training and continues where whatever advice you provide is factual and based upon was and that it was not about me, it was about the Airmen I
throughout your entire career. At each critical stage of your sound judgment and common sense. was leading. It was about making the next generation better
career, you received everything necessary to become a leader, than mine.
ZKDWLWWDNHVQRZLVWKDW¿UHWKHGULYHWRZDQWWREHDJUHDW For instance, I worked for a group commander at a previous
leader. duty assignment that would question me about a variety of Get out from behind your desk and be an involved leader.
issues, how I responded determined how deep he would dive Far too often, we get bogged down with the day-to-day pa-
Sometimes, a single torch is not enough to light the way. If into the discussion. If I did my homework and told him all SHUZRUNWKDWZHIRUJHWWKDW\RXFDQQRWOHDGSDSHUV\RXOHDG
you want the Air Force to glow, you will need to spread the the facts, risks, issues and recommended solutions, he would people. Unless your Airmen see you and can speak with you,
¿UH6WDUWD¿UHLQ\RXUVXERUGLQDWHVLQ\RXUVHQLRUOHDGHUV tell me “fair enough ... press on,” if I didn’t provide him the there will be a void and a lost opportunity to create a spark.
and within yourself. answer he was looking for, he would continue to dig until he
ZDVVDWLV¿HGWKDW,KDGDJRRGJUDVSRIWKHLVVXH,TXLFNO\ Finally, let others inspire you. Get out and see the great
+RZGR\RXVWDUWD¿UHLQ\RXUVXERUGLQDWHV",WLVDOZD\V learned that I could never go to him with a “NO” answer, it work our Airmen are accomplishing. Let the positive attitude
HDVLHUVDLGWKDQGRQH7KHVLPSOHDQVZHULVWRLQVSLUHWKHP was always a “Yes sir, we can do this, but here are the risks RIWKHKDUGZRUNHUVEHFRPHFRQWDJLRXVDQG¿JXUHRXWKRZ
to not only want to do more, but to do more while perform- and here is how we can mitigate those risks”. Our relationship to get those that are less inspired to be more so. Seeing them
ing their absolute best. Actions such as these take more than grew stronger because he always knew that I would not just change will help inspire you.
simply commanding an action to occur, they require setting a provide him with a surface answer to appease him, but would
standard, holding others to the standard, and most of all becom- in fact relay to him an honest-to-God assessment of the issue. ,WLVYLWDOWKDWZHVWDUWD¿UHLQWKH$LU)RUFHE\LQVSLULQJRXU
ing that standard yourself. Simply establishing and enforcing Airmen to do the best at everything they do. It is important to
DVWDQGDUGZLOOQRWFUHDWHWKHVSDUNLWZLOOWDNHLQVSLUDWLRQDQG If you can focus on becoming humble, approachable, and provide the fuel and the air to the spark in your subordinates
motivation. credible, you will not only become a better leader, but you and your leaders. Become a leader that is humble, approach-
will inspire your superiors to become better leaders, thus add- able, and credible and treat yourself and your career like a
Motivation can come in many forms, such as awards, LQJIXHOWRWKH¿UH ¿UH,I\RXGRQRWIHHGLWDQGNHHSLWEXUQLQJLWZLOOGLHRII
praise, and especially empowerment. Airmen, today more and you will be left standing in the dark.
than ever, want to be empowered and part of something bigger 7KLVOHDGVWRWKH¿QDODQGPRVWGLI¿FXOWDUHDZKHUH\RX
WKDQWKHP$VDVHQLRUQRQFRPPLVVLRQHGRI¿FHU\RXPXVW QHHGWRFUHDWHD¿UHZLWKLQ\RXUVHOI,DVVRFLDWHWKLVWRWU\LQJ The famous business philosopher, Jim Rohn stated “The
create an atmosphere where orders are not simply given, but to light a match in a windstorm. While not impossible, it is FKDOOHQJHRIOHDGHUVKLSLVWREHVWURQJEXWQRWUXGHEHNLQG
tasks are explained beyond the order. Tying actions to some- extremely challenging. Changing something within ourselves EXWQRWZHDNEHEROGEXWQRWEXOO\EHWKRXJKWIXOEXWQRW
thing much greater than local directives and then empowering takes great dedication and drive. When times are tough, you OD]\EHKXPEOHEXWQRWWLPLGEHSURXGEXWQRWDUURJDQW
\RXU$LUPHQWRGRLWWKLVZLOOLQHYLWDEO\FUHDWHWKDW¿UH must have the will to not give in. have humor, but without folly.”

,JQLWLQJD¿UHLQ\RXUVXERUGLQDWHVLVYHU\LPSRUWDQWEXW It is more than just getting internally motivated to do daily 6RIHHG\RXU¿UH/HDGHUVKLSLVQRWDQH[DFWVFLHQFHLW
you must also create one in those above your rank. Develop- WDVNVLWLVDERXWEHFRPLQJWKHEHVWDWZKDWZHGRLQHY- takes trial and error. It is important to educate yourselves and
ing a spark in your senior leadership is not easy and takes erything we do. Addressing each task as if it were the most become more informed on not only leadership, but anything
WLPHEXWRQFHWKH¿UHLVEXUQLQJWKHVN\LVWKHOLPLW%HWKDW important thing in regards to national security. Much like our that can make you more credible. Understand that you will
senior NCO that your leaders go to for information and solu- Air Force Core Value, “Excellence in All We Do,” this is an make mistakes. Own your mistakes and teach others to do
tions. Supply your answers with research and options and LQWHUQDO¿UHWKDWVKRXOGQRWDQGPXVWQHYHUEHH[WLQJXLVKHG the same.
become their sounding board, and trusted adviser.
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