Are you expecting different results?

  • Published
  • By Chief (select) Sgt. Tony Kendrick
  • 60th Medical Group
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  One of Albert Einstein's well-known quotes was his definition of insanity; "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." After thinking about what he said, three examples came to mind.

We have to set a clear path for success. Setting expectations and providing feedback are critical to growth and development. If no expectations are given, what kind of results are you looking for?

The current generation of Airmen believes that doing what they are told equals "clearly exceeds." You have to be very specific when explaining your performance expectations with your subordinates. Explain the difference between "meets" expectations and "clearly exceeds" expectations.

If you have a substandard ratee, they will require more frequent, formal feedbacks. Minimum requirements do not meet the needs of every Airman. Make sure your Airmen know where they stand at all times, especially if they are not meeting your expectations. Tell them what they need to do -then give them the opportunity to do it.

I challenge everyone to allow your subordinates to give feedback on how well you are meeting their needs and expectations. It is important for us as supervisors to modify our leadership style to meet the needs of our Airmen. They are not all alike, so we cannot lead them, teach them or mentor them as if they were.

Open, honest and continuous communication is critical -- your involvement is the key to get different results.

We must draw the line in the sand today and stop ignoring uniform violations! Fixing uniform infractions is not the First Sergeant or Chief's job. Males cannot be afraid to correct females with uniform violations and vice versa. What is more disheartening is spotting a violation at the end of the day. Sometimes the violator is the last to even know because the person who witnesses the infraction is so busy telling everyone else.

You should never rely on others to correct something you saw and failed to act upon. Today you saw it, did nothing, and complained about it. Tomorrow, you decide to avoid confrontation, so are you really expecting different results?

My point is this: you see a uniform infraction, correct it and I'll bet you will get different results tomorrow.

Without consequences, you get what you tolerate. Has it become status quo for excuses and procrastination to be the reason tasks are not complete and suspenses not met, so no one has to be held accountable? Does the close out date on a performance report or decoration mean anything anymore?

My consequence for showing up late for my own promotion test is I'm ineligible to test again for another year. Just think about the words "fitness failure" and we all know the consequences. Is that enlisted performance report ready to be reviewed? Did you finish the decoration for an Airman separating? Do you have your PME complete? No, I'll do it later. Tomorrow comes and you have ten more things to do. When next week comes, forget about it. Why should I work extra hard when someone else will do it and get it done?

Promptness and excellence has to become the minimum standard, or you may not get it. Do not tolerate anything less.

What is my take away message here? We must be engaged and internalize what it means to be a good wingman, leader and warrior. Good wingman will not hesitate to correct uniform violations or remind someone they need a haircut. Leaders will set clear expectations and provide feedback to make sure no one falters or fails. Warriors keep themselves physically fit, trained and medically ready at all times and do not have to be constantly reminded.

You do not have to be Albert Einstein to realize for something different to happen, a change must occur. Maintaining sanity will be tough at times, but if you are not engaged, are you expecting different results?