Commentary - Leadership across the spectrum

News > Commentary - Leadership across the spectrum

Leadership across the spectrum

Posted 6/3/2011

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Commentary by 1st Lt. Shannan Hansen
386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron

6/3/2011 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." -- Helen Keller

Leadership is the art and science of motivating Airmen to perform above standards to reach a common goal: Achieving the mission. When entering the military as a company-grade officer, we are always told to find a leadership style and try another style when one does not work effectively.

Does anyone truly know what specific leadership style works for them? How do they learn what leadership style to use? When young officers start out at their first duty assignment, they are placed in a situation where they must trust those around them.

They are told from day one, find a senior NCO and put him or her in your hip pocket. Let him or her mentor you and shape your character to help make you a better leader. Many officers look up to senior NCOs for guidance and support in every position held throughout their career.

As young officers, we typically observe our fellow Airmen while trying to mold our leadership style through trial and error.

There are some leaders who are very direct and do not take into consideration the views of others. This causes them to possibly lose the respect and motivation of their subordinates.

When Airmen do not feel as if their opinions or advice matter, they begin to slowly shut down.

There also are leaders who care about their Airmen to the point that they are afraid to hold them accountable for their actions.

There have been duty sections that fall apart because NCOs are afraid to act when challenged by their peers. As this happens, we start to fail our Airmen through lack of effective leadership.

In most cases, there are leaders who put people first and take the time to get to know every Airman within their span of control.

Leadership is instilled in officers and senior NCOs every day to motivate and encourage those they may lead. A leader is not just an officer or senior NCO, but anyone who is up to the challenge.

Are we holding our enlisted force to a higher standard as they progress in their careers? Are NCOs shaping our junior enlisted personnel the same way we are constantly mentored as officers?

I asked one of my NCOs who has been in the military for 10 years to write an enlisted performance report. The response given was, "Ma'am, I do not know how to write an EPR because they have always been written by my supervisors."

In this particular situation, an NCO failed to properly equip a subordinate for required career progression. According to Air Force Instruction 36-2618, Paragraph 4.1.5, leaders are expected to "epitomize excellence and lead by example through exhibiting professional behavior, military bearing, respect for authority, and the highest standards of dress and appearance."

Effective leadership may take constant introspection and personal adjustment when applying it to different situations. There are some leaders who do not take the time to understand who their personnel are and what each individual has going on in his or her life.

No matter where someone works, there will be difficult personalities and/or tense exchanges if there is a lack of effective communication. The ability to listen and understand is as important as communicating clearly to build and sustain productive relationships. This may be controlled by performance management while conducting on-the-job training within the work environment.

There is a long-term focus toward creating a climate of shared understanding about what is to be achieved. This will help develop leaders to increase the chance the mission will be achieved.

Leaders are constantly put through challenges that tend to change their character and the way they deal with different situations. Having a vision is just not enough. Leaders see things that should be done and things that should be fixed. What makes leaders different is that they act by taking steps to achieve their vision.

In the enlisted force structure, there are three distinct tiers depending on the level of education, training and experience each member possesses. NCOs are charged with mentoring and developing Airmen as they grow while demonstrating the Air Force Core Values.

They must instill professional behaviors in subordinates and correct those who violate standards. In the same manner that officers are mentored by senior NCOs, our junior enlisted members should also be mentored by NCOs.

Today's Airmen become tomorrow's leaders through the art and science of effective leadership.

Comments

6/10/2011 2:29:59 PM ET
Chief McVicar is correct. I think a couple of folks missed the point of the article. The story isn't about an NCO who has failed to gain the experience required and expected of a 10-year enlisted member, but a missed leadership opportunity by someone along the way to help and support this NCO. This is not a message about officer vs. enlisted. It's really not even about the NCO exampled in the article. I think the lieutenant was merely trying to share her concern and compassion as a future leader of our service with regard to setting the example and taking care of our Airmen by holding them accountable. It's about giving them the tools and skills necessary to be successful, focusing on character development by continuous affirmation of positive behaviors required in order to live by our AF Core Values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.

Richard Turcotte Command Chief 386 AEW, South West Asia

6/9/2011 2:36:25 AM ET
Great article, LT

Bill Skinner, AASAB

6/8/2011 10:30:53 PM ET
Leadership is leadership. Rank doesn't matter when it comes to leadership. Period. I've seen airmen move into a shop and run it. I train my airmen and challenge my airmen to handle everything in our office as frequently as humanly possible. You never know when a situation might arise when the CGO is going to be deployed the senior NCO is retiring and the NCO is outprocessing when a plane crashes and the last person in the office is the brand-new LT or an airman. Do you want that person to choke in their seats or do you want that person to put on their big-boy shoes and handle their business? All of you complaining about a young LT sharing their opinions on leadership should perhaps look in the mirror and ask yourself where you stand. Silly self-entitled youngsters. You don't work at a corporation. You're in the U.S. military and wear a combat uniform to work. Maybe it's time to put down the video game controller and learn from your peers and seniors.

TSgt. Chris Stagner, RAF Lakenheath

6/8/2011 12:58:53 PM ET
Wow, some folks just don't get the leadership thing do they. LT, your commentary is spot on. Despite some comments below, I for one, being an 06 with 20 years, am glad to say that some of the best leadership lessons I have learned over my carrer have been from young officers, SNCOs, NCOs, and even Airmen. Yes my superiors have mentored me, but trust me, I have been blessed to have a Chief or two mentor me just as well. I think mentoring works both ways, not just top down.

RMA, SA

6/8/2011 11:20:04 AM ET
This is why enlisted leadership in the Air Force is struggling right now - you have such close-minded people who think they are better than a young officer who has less time in the service than they do. Step up and be a good role model for your young Airmen. Provide the younger officers insight to the enlisted corps. If you are writing these words I am willing to bet you are talking bad about these same young officers to your Airmen. Step up and be a real leader if not finsish your current enlistment and go find a job in the civilian sector and tell me how nice you have it having to answer to a young business man or woman with more education then you and younger. GOOD LUCK.

Andy Retired 1st Sgt, Virginia

6/8/2011 9:53:31 AM ET
J.T. in Destin needs to realize you can learn something from EVERYONE. It doesn't matter their age rank education level or any other factor. When you dismiss what someone says because of some litmus test you are missing a learning opportunity...and one you vitally need.

Jerry, Oklahoma

6/8/2011 8:41:15 AM ET
Jason, please do not express your opinions as if you represent the views of the entire enlisted corp. Its a shame that you feel the need to disrespect a commissioned officer in a public forum. Lt Hansen, thank you for sharing your perspective on leadership.

ddub, TX

6/7/2011 8:34:38 PM ET
As a retired SNCO, I think it is a good idea for new officers to be aware of enlisted issues, and overall, this was an excellent article by the LT. However, I would like more details concerning the story about the NCO that was asked to write an EPR by the LT. If the NCO was an Airman's supervisor the notice to write the EPR would have been computer generated and certainly no surprise to the NCO who would have known at the end of the reporting period an EPR was due. If the NCO was asked to write an EPR and had not supervised the Airman at least 120 days it would not be legal to write the EPR.

CT, CA

6/7/2011 5:40:39 PM ET
While I respect the rank 2Lt Hansen has earned, I would imagine this article would have had more impact from someone who's had the actual experience and broader vision that that experience gives of a higher rank individual. The words are true, no doubt. But I think you'll find a more receptive audience when the speaker knows what she or he is talking about through vast experience, not someone still in the mentoring process like the good 2Lt.

SM, Japan

6/7/2011 2:35:33 PM ET
Otis- No one ever said that a Senior NCO's job is to mentor an officer. IAW AFI 36-2618 Support commissioned officers continued development by sharing knowledge andexperience to best meet their organizations mission requirements. Build and maintain professional relationships with commissioned officers striving to create effective leadership teams. Would you not agree that this is a SNCO responsibility? If we do it your way, the next time a LT asks me a question on how I would handle something, I'll just refer them to a field-grade officer. Also, if an officer needs mentoring on their character flaw, I'll be glad to step up and let them know about it.

MSgt Wills, Robins AFB GA

6/7/2011 2:21:10 PM ET
It doesn't matter one iota if the author is prior enlisted. The lieutenant's commentary is honorable effort notwithstanding nothing more than a ton of feathers a young officer worried that the force should hold NCOs to a higher standard. You see that's not one of the big problems with the force. Stand outside the BX on any given workday and count uniform violations or administer a PT test and see who argues more about missed reps and tell me who needs to be held accountable to a standard at all the officers or enlisted personnel.

J.T., Destin FL

6/7/2011 1:25:26 PM ET
One question: Where is the little brown book for officers?

Someone of little importance, somewhere of little importance

6/7/2011 10:23:12 AM ET
There is clearly a misunderstanding of the Little Brown Book when there are open comments disrespecting an officer. This misunderstanding also comes to light in the PME classroom where Airmen are seeing this Instruction for the first time when their supervisors should have already made them familiar.Could the disconnect in the NCO Corps stem from the low retention which brings about higher promotion rates which promotes those that are truely not ready? Of course this is not the job of the test to decide who is ready it is the job of the NCOs that write the reports. Are we as NCOs being honest? When I joined admittedly many many years ago there was a seperation between Airmen and NCOs. I listened to a Buck Sgt Respected a SSgt Did not question a TSgt and knew I was in trouble if I had to be dealt with by a MSgt. The Lt is right on target. Leadership must be situational and is not always popular.

JM, AFMC

6/7/2011 9:34:54 AM ET
Cannot post I get an error message about HTML. Can I email you the text I would like to have posted

Brent French, Hurlburt Field

6/7/2011 9:22:02 AM ET
I liked the article and thought it ws well written. JT- Did you ever take some time to think that maybe this LT was a prior NCO? It is closed minded thinking like yours that keeps us from gowing forward. So if an Amn that worked for you had a better way to do a job would you disregard that as well? Jason- Really? I want an officer that is out and getting the pulse of the enlisted, not someone that manages from behind a desk. 1st Lt. Hansen, hopefully you practice what you preach and keep that Senior NCO close.

SK, Bellevue NE

6/7/2011 6:59:25 AM ET
J.T. how do you know that this LT is not prior enlisted? None the less who are you to judge the LT.? There have been a lot a LT's that I would rather work with than some Airmen NCO's or SNCO's who think they know everything but really have no clue on what is happening around them. LT I think you are spot on with your continued leadership I expect you will do great things. Yours Truly, Retired MSgt First Sgt.

Andy, Virginia

6/6/2011 8:53:42 PM ET
I hate to say it but this entire article seems like one big cliche. Seems like each section was right out of your flavor of the day leadership book. Just saying.

Maj C, Florida

6/6/2011 8:51:53 PM ET
The hostility I'm seeing here is unwarranted. It's perfectly reasonable to expect that an NCO of 10 years would know how to write an EPR because the Air Force teaches that both in Airman Leadership School and in the refresher courses offered at most bases. The fact that the commentary was written by a first lieutenant means she has at least two years of leadership experience under her belt and this commentary illustrates in my opinion her devotion toward doing it right. I wish we could bottle that kind of passion and use it as jet fuel.

PB, US

6/6/2011 8:41:04 PM ET
It is NOT the job of senior NCOs and never has been to mentor officers. It is the job of senior officers to mentor junior officers. Senior NCOs won't be able to tell a junior officer what assignment should come next or when PME should be done. As a company-grade officer, I received mentoring from senior officers and as a field-grade officer, I mentored company-grade officers. Officers can do and should look to senior NCOs for advice in certain areas but again, it is not the job of the senior NCO to shape officers' character. Some field-grade officer in Lt Hansen's chain of command needs to sit down with this young lieutenant and explain the facts of life. And an NCO ten years in who doesn't know how to write an EPR? What? No PME? That NCO better get Tongue and Quill and get to work.

Otis R. Needleman, USA

6/6/2011 5:48:06 PM ET
How many EPR's have you written Lieutenant Send one my way. I'll give you some mentorship with red pen in hand. By the way how many NCO's do you have Or maybe I should ask the NCO How many Lt's do you have

SF Ret, Texas

6/6/2011 5:13:41 PM ET
Jason and J.T., I'm all for offering critique when it's appropriate, but the two of you are both clearly out of line. You've no idea if the good lieutenant is even prior enlisted or even prior service. And even still as an 0-2, Lieutenant Hansen has seen at least two years of Air Force life. That's plenty of time to have some perspective to offer, especially since the lieutenant is deployed. Besides, if you actually read the commentary the lieutenant isn't wrong ... Lieutenant Hansen please know not all enlisted Airmen hold junior officers in such disdain. For the record however try to avoid opening a commentary with a quote from someone else it's a commentary - we want to hear from you. Best of luck on the rest of your deployment ... Salute

Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski, Fairchild AFB Wash.

6/6/2011 4:43:53 PM ET
Stay tuned. I hear AB Snuffy who happens to have exactly 3 months of AF experience will be writing an article on Mentoring. Should be a real riveting article.

Retired, someplace

6/6/2011 3:26:24 PM ET
Wow. A couple of scorned NCOs posting today I see. As a former enlisted member and officer in the Air Force I believe that members of all ranks have the ability to meaningfully contribute. Jason, it is quite presumptuous and narcisstic for you to believe that your comments mirror that of the entire enlisted force. As an officer it is LT Hansen's business to be in the business of both officer and enlisted issues. Leaders cannot lead if they are not understanding and empathetic to everyone's issues, which is what I believe LT Hansen was trying to do.

Chris Kimball, Indiana

6/6/2011 2:33:33 PM ET
Jason and JT not real sure you get the point of this Lt stated about Leadership. As a matter of fact I think you completely missed it. By the way I bet this Lt is prior enlisted so you may wish to reconsider your post.

Mac McVicar, Tyndall

6/6/2011 12:15:35 PM ET
Although this commentary was basically a review of AFI 36-2618 it is still worth listening to. As for the comment by Jason, you want the LT to stay out of enlisted issues and stay in the office. Why in the world would you want that I agree that the officers should not micro-manage enlisted folks but I highly encourage young officers to get out of the office and see what's going on. Like it or not even a junior LT outranks an enlisted person. It's our job to show them how to be better. If you are going to write something that could be considered disrespectful have the cojones to put your name and location to it. It's easy to snipe at someone when there is no chance of them finding out who you are.

MSgt Wills, Robins AFB GA

6/4/2011 12:52:10 PM ET
Oh great, a leadership article written by a lieutenant. What next, tips on how to pass your PT test from a middle schooler?

J.T., Destin FL

6/4/2011 2:24:07 AM ET
Lieutenant, thank you for your insight on leadership and enlisted force structure. I would've never been able to comprehend the Little Brown Book on enlisted force structure had you not put it into your own words. Here is some leadership for you from the enlisted side of the spectrum. Stay out of enlisted issues and stay in your office.

Jason, Right Here

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