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Leadership and true respect

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Bradley Bird
  • 43rd Fighter Squadron commander
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  In today's Air Force every Airman is a leader. From the youngest enlisted member to the most experienced senior officer, all Airmen affect people by their actions in some way. It is beneficial for every Airman to take the time to think about what leadership means to them.

It is not about you, it is about your people! In my opinion, this is a crucial thing for an effective leader to understand. The people around you are the backbone of all things that contribute to the success or failure of a unit. A person who bases their actions on personal gain can actually cause a unit to be less effective, especially if this person is in a leadership position. Leaders should strive to empower their people. You should understand their needs and do your best to give them what they need to succeed. If an Airman has a personal issue, it is imperative to give them the time to handle the situation. Without a clear mind, the mission suffers. If you are not in a leadership position, selfless acts to support the team are also a form of leadership. Everyone around you can learn from your behavior and ultimately follow suit. There is no better form of leadership than when your actions set the example and affect behavior in a positive way.

Along these same lines, think of how you do as a leader in terms of a 360 degree evaluation. Part of our current promotion system evaluates Airmen based on the opinions of the supervisor, which is important. However, imagine if your subordinates actually wrote your evaluation report. What would they say about you? Do they follow you because they have to or do they follow you because they want to? Your actions as a leader have a direct impact on what your subordinates and peers think of you. The more positive the impact, the more effective you will be at mission accomplishment. This point is not to say that leadership is a popularity contest. There are times as a leader you will have to take action and make decisions your subordinates will not like. This is why it is so important to build true respect.

All leaders should strive for true respect. It is what you find when you peel an onion. It is what makes great leaders great and the reason why their people follow them. We are in the military, structured by rank and a chain of command, where respect for those above you is an absolute requirement. But when determining what type of leader you want to be, ask the question - do your people follow you because they have to or want to? Do not use your position or rank as a medium to lead through fear. You will have some individuals who need a kick in the pants more than a pat on the back, that is normal. However, it is the overall environment you create that is important. Use your skills to influence people, not your rank or position to hide behind. If you are not in a position of leadership, the same true respect can be gained from your peers. Positive reinforcement and actions are contagious. True respect is when you call someone sir or ma'am because you want to not because you have to.

Remember, every Airman has the potential to be a leader, regardless of the position. It is about your people and true respect is what you should constantly strive to attain. Your actions affect people in many ways, so take the time to contemplate what defines you as a leader and make the results both positive and rewarding.