Connecting the dots Published Jan. 16, 2015 By Lt. Col. Brian E. Ferguson 94th Operations Support Squadron commander DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Sometimes it's easy to lose focus of the big picture. We are tasked with many ancillary requirements, numerous Computer Based Training courses, Management Internal Control Toolset checklists, orders and travel voucher completion, remaining medically current and qualified, maintaining the required fitness level, additional duties, annual Wingman and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response training, and the list goes on. Of course, it's incumbent upon us, as Citizen Airmen, to attend to all the items mentioned above and many more in a professional manner. In doing so, performing well in our primary duties and finding joy in it can get lost in the shuffle. Balancing our training and deployment requirements with our civilian work and family life is a daunting task. How are we to accomplish it all? How do we perform well while running about with what sometimes feels like so many distracting requirements? Part of the answer lies in good leadership in your organization. Another part of the equation rests squarely on our shoulders. It is our level of engagement in our work. Numerous studies and research show that employee engagement drives greater production and employee satisfaction. As service men and women we are more than mere employees, although some among us may feel that at times, totally disengaged from our honorable calling. So what does "engagement" really mean and how does it help us? In short, it means people do their work wholeheartedly and like what they do. In our case, living out the Air Force Core Values is a good indicator of our engagement. Those who are engaged bring their best to work, perform honorably and with excellence and are more apt to find enjoyment in what they do because they know why they are serving. They have a firm understanding of how their role supports not only their unit's mission, but also how their unit and the 94th Airlift Wing support our national objectives. They have connected the dots, and they feel good about it! The attitude we choose has much to do with our level of engagement and satisfaction in our work. Connecting the dots to the bigger picture helps us see how we make a positive difference and improves our attitude, productivity and enjoyment at work. Can you connect the dots from your primary duty to the mission of the wing? At present, we are a C-130 tactical airlift wing standing ready for our nations call. The 94th AW mission is to provide unrivaled warfighting capability to support any assigned mission across the spectrum of military operations and to create an environment where the 94th Airlift Wing and our mission partners thrive!" To achieve this mission, everyone has a role. There is an old adage that says: For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe the horse was lost. For want of a horse the rider was lost. For want of a rider the message was lost. For want of a message the battle was lost. For want of a battle the kingdom was lost. And all for the want of a horseshoe nail. What is the nail that you control? How does what you do ensure the wing is ready to execute its mission? Connect the dots, gain clarity on your part of the big picture and serve with honor.
