Leadership lessons learned

Published May 6, 2013
By Lt. Col. Lance A. Wilkins
82nd Aerial Targets Squadron commander

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- I have had the good fortune of being stationed at Tyndall as a lieutenant, captain, major and now as a lieutenant colonel. Although I have had assignments in between my visits, somehow I cannot seem to get away from the beautiful Emerald Coast (I'm not complaining). As I get ready to depart once again, I decided that it might be beneficial to some for me to share some personal leadership lessons learned during my 19-year-career and specifically during my combined total of almost seven years here at the Home of Air Superiority.

Lesson Number 1...ANY MAN CAN DIVIDE...BUT IT TAKES A TRUE LEADER TO UNITE

The human race has perfected "division." We can divide our problems away. We can re-organize for the wrong reasons. We can divide away or separate ourselves from our heritage and traditions with the simple stroke of a pen. We can even divide our entire base with a state highway! We are very good dividers. But, let's not focus on division.

Abraham Lincoln is one of my personal heroes. He had, I would argue, the most difficult job of any president we've ever had. In the worst imaginable situation, in the most divided of unions, in the most abhorrent circumstance when brother was pitted against brother, Lincoln accomplished more, not less, than most. How did he do it? He stayed focused on the principle of UNITY. By sheer willpower, Lincoln held a nation together. He realized and recorded in his memoirs that keeping UNITY was the most difficult thing he had ever done even amongst his own cabinet. He felt it was worth it and ultimately gave his life in pursuit of it.

That brings us to today and what we can do to be a true leader. Find ways in your organization to emphasize teamwork and unity. Use team-building exercises, social gatherings, Commander's Calls, shop/flight tours, et cetera to build the TEAM. Write a squadron newsletter, create a Facebook page and get involved with base public affairs to tell the story of EVERY aspect of your TEAM. Trust me, telling your TEAM story will help pull your TEAM together.

As leaders at some level, remember this...Anyone can divide...but it takes a special type of leader to UNITE. Are you that type of leader? Are you willing to demonstrate the resolve and dedication required to create a UNIFIED team? If so, you will not regret it.

There is no limit to the accomplishments that a unified team of professionals can achieve. Remember, Together Everyone Achieves More!

Lesson Number 2 - POSITIVE LEADERSHIP IS ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS

It is amazing how luck and good fortune favor hard workers. It is even more important to note how much impact a POSITIVE outlook can have on success. Negativity thrives in our current world. It has been said that bad news makes it all the way around the world before good news gets its shoes on. It is so easy to be negative and to gripe and complain. Resources will always be a bit short. Job security will always be a bit in question. Mission failure can always feel like it is one step away. It often feels like you are one step away from being a "hero" or a "zero." You could be negative and feel justified. Please don't!

My definition of positive leadership is simple:

"Provide an environment where every single individual is capable of reaching their full potential."
- If they need resources...you ensure that they get them.
- If they need training...you make certain that it is scheduled.
- If they have a family problem...you help them or find someone that can.
- If the mission is going south...you help turn it around.
- The positive leader is always part of the solution and NEVER part of the problem!

Positive leadership is more than just caring. Many passive folks care. But, a positive leader cares and puts "action" with the caring. The world's all time best-selling book states "Faith without works is dead." What does this mean? Your belief in your organization and its abilities is one vital aspect. But, what are you actually doing to be a force for positive results? Don't be a fake, but smile, be energetic and upbeat to the max extent. Remember, every negative occurrence is an opportunity for positive leadership.

Providing an environment where every single team member can reach their full potential is a difficult task, but it is worth it!

Lesson Number 3 - ALWAYS LEAVE THINGS BETTER THAN YOU FOUND THEM

I was taught as a young boy to always return things better than you found them. If you borrowed a toy, clean it, repair it if required and return it in better shape if you can. If you helped your teacher clean up after class, make it look better than it did when you arrived that day. As I grew older, things became a little more challenging, but the principle remained. As a young man, if I borrowed a car or a truck from a friend, I would return it full of gas, washed and vacuumed. (With gas at $4 per gallon, some of you probably want me to borrow your vehicle right now - ha.)

The buildings that you are working in right now are not getting younger. You will be required, at some point, to renovate and modernize them. You will ALWAYS have an excuse to keep you from doing that. Leaders find ways to make things better and leave them better than they found them.

I challenge you to look around and find something that needs to be done - you won't have to look too far I promise. Then develop a plan and work towards the concept of constant improvement. If everyone would do this and leaders would emphasize this, we would take stewardship and excellence to a whole new level.

So, there you have it. Three major Leadership Lessons Learned from my time here at Tyndall and specifically as the Commander of the 82d Aerial Targets Squadron.

Unity + Positive Leadership + Constant Improvement

Now, we all know that this is not an all-inclusive list. You may even be saying to yourself "but what about ___?" Well, you're right. There are lots more that I could add to this list, but eventually I'm going to have to out-process! Ha. What is truly important is that you continue to ponder and insightfully consider the myriad of concepts and principles associated with leading those valuable, unique, and talented folks within your organization to the next level and beyond.

See ya next time Team Tyndall! It has been an honor. God bless.