Focus on what's important in order to lead

  • Published
  • By Col. Robin Fontenot
  • 60th Dental Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Air Force is a leadership organization. Everyone who serves will, at some point, need to step to the front and direct others, therefore, you need to know where you stand.

Every one of us needs to know what is important in order to effectively lead. With that in mind, I present my top 10 list of leadership ideas.

10. People are our greatest asset. Our current Chief of Staff of the Air Force has stated on numerous occasions that we must "know our Airmen." They are a remarkable group of individuals. You will be much more successful if you understand your people, know where they come from and know what it takes to motivate them.

9. Set expectations and practice mutual accountability. Make expectations between you and your staff a priority. Once you agree on the expectations, hold each other accountable to them. Set expectations with your peers, your subordinates and your superiors.

8. Seek first to understand and then to be understood. Yes, this is straight from Stephen Covey's book, but I think it is worth living every day as a leader. When you listen with an empathetic ear, your people will reciprocate and likely be more open to your ideas.

7. Don't seek consensus, mold it. Not everyone will agree with your decisions, but they will more likely respect and follow them if you allow them the opportunity to give you their input first. This takes time, but reaps huge benefits later. It also will allow you to understand other perspectives you may not have previously considered.

6. Recognize and acknowledge your people. The simple act of asking someone's opinion says, "You are a valued member of the team." Go out of your way to acknowledge each person individually. President Dwight Eisenhower said, "leadership consists of nothing but taking responsibility for everything that goes wrong and giving your subordinates credit for everything that goes well."

5. Prepare your replacements. Leaders need to develop subordinates. Let them sit in your seat when you are not in town. Give them a warm handoff so they are set up for success. Empower them to make decisions and support them. Read and discuss literature on leadership. Mentoring your subordinates is the way you repay your mentors.

4. Model integrity, service and excellence. A leader must give subordinates a role model to emulate. If that leader acts in any way that runs contrary to our core values, then he or she must reconsider their actions and position.

3. Don't fear failure. Our organization seeks innovation in order to accomplish more with less. True, disruptive innovation results in failure more often than not. Don't be afraid to fail, and celebrate the failures of your troops. It shows they are trying.

2. Leave the place better than how you found it. This was a lesson learned repeatedly from my first United States Marine Corp field commander. It has carried me through my entire career. From the trash on the ground to the highest levels of lean management, I constantly strive to improve my unit.

1. Work hard, play hard. Sometimes that means working hard to relax, but just do it. Covey's "Sharpen the Saw" is essential. Use your leave. You've earned it. Never sacrifice time with your family. In the end, your family, as well as your organization, benefits.