Learn how to build teams with a smile

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Rafael Carroll
  • 60th Operations Support Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  While our core values represent the very foundation of service in the Air Force, there are multiple other areas that can be fostered in a unit to help develop a highly effective team.
 
Creating an environment where members are compelled to be both accountable and responsible will help to keep them engaged with those they serve and likely improve overall performance. As military service members, this sort of connectedness is proving more and more critical as we balance our current high operations tempo with reduced resource availability.

Strong bonds and a sense of family lead to improved synergy within a unit and increased levels of resiliency by truly invested members.

Our commitment should be to accomplish the mission, as our core values demand we do and we need to be all in. We also need to remain committed to each other, as mission and people can be viewed as two sides of the same coin.

A sense of family will help to build commitment between service members, enhancing our ability to accomplish the mission. Developing cohesion within the squadron also is crucial during times of trial where members find themselves in need of a strong support group.

Competency is another area we can focus on. This ties closely to excellence in all we do, but specifically in this case, proficiency at our given primary duties. Whether a pilot, controller, defender or food service specialist, the nation's expectation is for a professional level of proficiency at primary duties across the board.

With so many competing day-to-day priorities it is essential to not lose sight of why we serve in the first place and to keep in mind our responsibility to be ready to execute our primary mission at any given time.

A key difference maker and final area I will discuss is attitude. I recognize the importance of being realistic and am not speaking of false hope or bravado when I make this point, but with that in mind I feel optimism and an all-around positive attitude toward life and service can make all the difference. A good attitude tempered with an appropriate level of motivation can be very infectious within a unit.

As I mentioned before, our entire military has a lot on its plate. During these challenging times, it is important for the whole team to stay engaged and lean forward to get the job done. Keeping a positive attitude can be helpful in making the workplace more enjoyable, thereby opening avenues to both innovation and production.

Above all else, a positive attitude needs to be sincere, as a fake attitude is often transparent and can lead others to doubt your commitment and bring your level of honesty into question.

Commitment, competency and attitude are all essential elements to developing a highly effective team. Always try to recognize the impact you personally make for our Air Force. Remember our great nation needs you to be the expert in your field and, of course, don't forget to smile.