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Commander's Perspective
Posted 9/14/2012 Updated 9/14/2012
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Commentary by Lt. Col. Brian Stumpe
325th Civil Engineer Squadron commander
9/14/2012 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- As I considered topics for this article, I thought back on the lessons I've learned throughout my life, and what I consider to be a successful leader. I've read the usual leadership and management books, but realized most of what I know about leadership was learned from observing others - not from reading a book. I reflected upon my experiences both in and out of the military, and thought about the qualities, good and bad, of leaders I have observed. I believe something can be learned from everyone, and throughout life you will see good examples, as well as bad examples of leaders. If you are fortunate, you have had the opportunity to work closely with a great leader and hopefully took some mental notes as to why you considered them to be great. I've worked for many great leaders who each influenced my leadership style and formed my vision of what a great leader should be. The following are a few leadership traits that I personally value.
Lead by example - You must always set the example for those you lead. You should understand the needs of your team members and always consider the impact of your actions upon them and their families. You should never ask anybody on your team to do anything that you have not done yourself, or are not prepared to do yourself. The team is more likely to do what you do, rather than what you say. Always demonstrate through your actions, that you are everything you ask your team to be - ethical, moral, loyal, honest, dedicated.
Vision - As a leader, you must know where the team is headed, and ensure everyone on the team knows as well. There are few things more disheartening than feeling you're not contributing to the mission and that your efforts don't matter. It's the leader's responsibility to ensure everyone knows why they report for duty each day and why their duties are important. You must provide your team with thoughtful vision and strategic direction. A leader should understand the vision of the organization, and set goals for the team to work toward that vision.
Loyalty - Above all, you must be loyal to the United States, to the Air Force, and to every member of your team; they will demand loyalty from you and you must demand the same from them. The bond between military members is sacred and is known only to those who have worn the uniform. The loyalty you share with your team is the same loyalty you should expect of your peers, your leaders, and yourself. Team loyalty must be reinforced by knowing your people and letting them get to know you. Recognize and reward good performance, correct poor performance, always challenge them, and invest in their training and professional development.
Humor - Never take yourself too seriously. I'm not implying that we shouldn't take our jobs seriously, but sometimes you just have to stop and laugh at some of the silliness that surrounds us. Life can be tough and I choose to enjoy as much of it as I can. Laughing avoids negativity, and few things are more damaging to the morale of an organization than negativity. On the other hand, nothing is more contagious than a positive attitude and laughter. When you and your team laugh together, they'll see a personal side of you that they will appreciate. I always enjoy a good laugh at my own expense.
Humility - Nobody likes that person who is always seeking the spotlight. A good leader should direct their energy into making their organization great, and not toward inflating their own ego. Shift the focus away from yourself and recognize the contributions of your team instead. Always use "we", "us", and "our"...never "me", "my", or "I". The leader should absolutely be proud of their personal achievements, but do so without arrogance and fanfare. The more senior you become, obviously the more you've accomplished, and the less you need to talk about it. I believe that by remaining humble, you are bound to be more open minded and receptive to new ideas. By the way, I've yet to meet the guy or gal that has all the answers - they don't exist. Humility allows great leaders the ability to ask for the advice or help of others from time to time.
Everyone has their own ideas about what they consider to be good leadership attributes...these are just of few of mine. Think about the type of leader you are now and the type of leader you want to be. You don't have to wear a certain rank or have any particular job title for people to follow you, some of the most effective leaders we have in the Air Force are our informal leaders. I don't believe anybody was born a great leader, I think great leaders started as great followers and conditioned themselves to think and behave in a way that made others want to follow them. I challenge each of you to observe your leaders and learn from them; decide for yourself what leadership traits you think are most effective...what makes you want to follow them? There's no magic recipe for successful leadership, but you can achieve anything with the right attitude. Be competent, be fair and consistent, and above all else - be yourself!
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