New challenges, new opportunities Published Feb. 5, 2014 By Chief Master Sergeant Wendell Peacock 94th Airlift Wing Command Chief DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Happy New Year! I hope all of you enjoyed the holidays with family and friends and are looking forward to a productive and prosperous new year. Over the past year, we have faced and overcome many great challenges. We have all felt and had to deal with the effects of sequestration, reduced funding, fewer opportunities for formal training and postponing of Unit Training Assemblies. We lost members of our Dobbins family last year, and our members have lost loved ones as well. Yet through all of this, we continue to move forward. I wish I could tell you that the challenges are over. However, as Citizen Airmen, we realize that is not the case. We must be in constant preparation for what comes next! Chief Master Sgt. Brian Bischoff, 22nd Air Force Detachment 1 Command Chief, provides what he calls "Chiefs Mentoring Moments." I always find something beneficial in them. In one of his latest mentoring moments, he shared 10 lessons he has learned over the years from great leaders, mentors, supervisors, and friends. As we began the new year, I thought it would be good to share these lessons with you: 1. It's not about you Bottom line, it's not about you. your awards, medals or degrees. It's about your people! Take care of your people or they will take care of you. When you take care of your people and help them accomplish their goals, and live up to their potential, great things will happen. Not only will the mission get accomplished, but innovation and excellence will prevail. 2. Share success, own failure If things go bad, I did it. If things go good, we did it. Your job as a leader is to enable and motivate your people to accomplish the mission, and whenever possible, help them enjoy it. Give them a sense of accomplishment and make sure they are recognized for it. When the heat comes down, you are out front taking the heat. Under no circumstances do you throw one of your people under the bus, or let someone else chew out your troop. All business is done through you when it comes to this and you take the heat. Anything else will destroy any credibility you have as a leader and the people will no longer see you as someone they can trust. 3. Lead from the front, don't manage from the rear Anyone can be an armchair quarterback. Managing from the rear will get you little to no respect and your people will not be motivated. Lead from the front and show them that you are not asking them to do anything you are not ready, willing, and able to do yourself. Worst thing you can do is to sit behind a desk and give out orders. Get out there, win their trust, and show them that although you are their leader, you are also their teammate. 4. Have a plan Have a plan and share it. When you are in charge, you need to have a plan and let your people know what it is so they can buy in on it. Whether it is an org chart letting them know their role in the mission, or plans for an exercise, let them know what it is. If they see that you have a well thought out plan and a way to execute it, they will support your efforts, even if they don't always agree with it. When possible, give them the opportunity to submit input and ideas. 5. Mentor, Mentor, Mentor You will not be in charge forever. Mentor those whose development you are charged with to make sure they can do your job someday. Teach them from your experiences, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Show them the successes and failures you experienced and how you handled them. All are learning experiences that will make them better leaders. Help prepare them to take a leadership role and to fulfill their potential. mentor, and guide. Be that leader that you always wanted to follow. 6. Learn from your mistakes If you make a mistake, admit it and learn from it. Don't just shrug and keep wandering on aimlessly. Learn from all mistakes, yours and others, so you can be better prepared if/when you face the circumstances again. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. 7. What's the "so what?" In today's information rich world, people get overloaded by information. If you are sending a ton of e-mail, talking all the time or holding 15 meetings every day, are you really getting things done, or are you overloading your people? When you speak, speak with determination, conviction, passion and get to the point. Shoot straight and give them the information they need to know. You will be amazed at how much more they will listen and respond to what you say. 8. Strive to be driven There are three kinds of people in life. Those without drive, those who have drive, and those who are driven. Those without drive float along through life like a raft on the ocean. Currents take them to different places through no means of effort on their part. Those with drive accomplish things and go places, but often accept mediocrity. Then there are those who are driven, the indomitable spirits that cannot be stopped from achieving their goals. They are Michael Jordan, Jonas Saulk, who created Polio vaccine, Dale Earnhardt Sr., George S. Patton and the list goes on. Driven people never let failure or adversity stop them. They accomplish their goals no matter what. 9. It is what it is Some things you cannot change. This does not mean you accept defeat! If at first you don't succeed, find another way. Learn to accept the things you cannot change, and find a way to accomplish the mission in spite of them. 10. Be prepared Be prepared for whatever may come your way. Do your homework, investigate and get the answers. Never show up the day of a board, first day of work, the beginning of an exercise or for a physical fitness test just thinking things will go your way. They often won't. Luck is where preparation meets application. Be prepared in everything you do. You will be amazed at the outcome. No doubt we will have challenges this year, and as we progress through life. Remember, challenges and adversity that make us stronger and help us grow. Have a great year!
