Telling quote illustrates nature of service

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Matthew Jones
  • 22nd Airlift Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The last step any copilot takes before being upgraded to aircraft commander is completing their certification board.  This board is a formal process where the squadron's functional leadership imparts their best advice as the soon-to-be aircraft commander listens attentively.  Every time we 'cert' a new aircraft commander, my Director of Operations shares a family quote.  It is always my favorite part of the "cert-board." While I believe the quote stands alone, I thought I would share what it means to me.

Be pretty if you are, be witty if you can, but be cheerful if it kills you.

Be pretty if you are.  At the heart of these five words I see authenticity.  They are telling you just as much of what you should do as what you should not do.  You should not waste time in trying to be someone that you are not.  Be comfortable in your own style of leading and resist the urge to blindly conform.  Some things you simply are, these are the things that cannot be changed.  Don't hide or be ashamed of who you are, people can't help but see you as yourself and you should do the same.  Authenticity is an admired trait.

Be witty if you can. 

In this second line of the quotation the author subtly changed 'if you are' to 'if you can'.  The adverb "can" moves beyond things that are an innate part of our personality and encourages effort, action, maybe even risk taking.  It is consistent with the first line in that it is again encouraging authenticity.  If you have a clever, original and confident personality or a quick and inventive verbal humor, it is OK to be you, but only if you can.

But be cheerful if it kills you.

Just when we think it is OK to be yourself as long as we are being authentic, this third line demands that we not take the easy road or allow negativity to be accepted just because we are 'bringing it real.' It is not OK to have a bad attitude, even if a good one is not always convenient or does not come natural.  When it comes to our attitude, with deliberate effort, we have full control over our disposition.  There is no wiggle room for a bad attitude, 'be cheerful if it kills you.' A good attitude is the one trait that equally benefits ourselves just as much as those who are around us.

Turn on the TV, follow social media, listen to the pundits, there will always be reasons for negativity if you are looking for them.  While it is completely acceptable to be yourself, do not take the easy road when it comes to your attitude.  Unlike those things we simply are, a positive attitude is completely within your control.  And yes, it matters.  Nothing will impact those you lead more than your attitude, so why not make it a good one, even if it kills you.