1 Sep 2011

Hold the Line: Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence, fact-based leadership and fact-based followership are perhaps the most basic techniques that both leaders and followers can use to drive teamwork and superior mission accomplishment. I recently observed an exchange between aspiring senior non-commissioned officers and junior Airmen. Master sergeant selectees attending the

2 Aug 2011

Commentary: Culture of correcting standards

Do our Airmen set and correct standards on a day-to-day basis? In the Air Force, do we have the "culture of correcting standards"? I think we do a great job in correcting each other with regard to our specific career field tasks. However, we don't do a very good job at correcting standards that make us good Airmen. Proper Airmanship is correcting

25 Jul 2011

Commentary: Invest in your people ... they are worth it! | VIDEO

As a leader and senior NCO, I have many responsibilities -- ranging from ensuring the day-to-day job gets done to caring for Airmen. During the course of a normal day, there is no shortage of projects, tasks and suspenses reminding me there are still 101 jobs that need to be accomplished. The mission will always remain, but the people are what

3 Jun 2011

Commentary: Hold the line by holding conversation

I can't recall where I first heard the story of Navy Captain Charles Plumb, his riveting account of being shot down in Vietnam and how decades later he and his wife were dining stateside when a stranger approached and announced, "You're Captain Plumb." The captain had no idea who this stranger was and was intrigued by the detailed information the

2 May 2011

Commentary: Strong leadership will always hold the line

In my experience, effective leaders demonstrate a team approach without favoritism toward anyone. Good leaders are good listeners, who provide clear and concise direction on decision-making, articulate their message well and keep emotions out of the decision process. Ineffective leaders demonstrate large egos, a "so-what" mentality toward the

8 Apr 2011

Commentary: Rags to Riches

In early 2010, Jordan Hall dormitory here was, to put it lightly, the "hot spot" on Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. It was rare for a week to go by without some manner of incident. As the oldest dorm on base, Jordan Hall was run-down -- which aided in the establishment of an "I don't care" mentality for some. For a period of time, it was

11 Mar 2011

Commentary: Doing the Basics ...

Can you imagine getting up to go to work today and forgetting to put on your socks? It would make you uncomfortable, you might get a blister, and you would be out of uniform. The reason we put our socks on is that it is a basic thing we do to complete our uniform and keep ourselves healthy and safe so we can function properly.The basics we do in

13 Jan 2011

AFMC command chief sees progress, community in Edwards visit

In what felt like a homecoming, Chief Master Sgt. Eric R. Jaren, Air Force Materiel Command command chief, and his wife Laura visited the base Dec. 13 to 15, 2010, to witness first-hand the example-setting and innovative nature of Edwards. "Edwards is very dear to both Laura and me," said Chief Jaren. "Coming back for a visit is like coming

10 Jan 2011

Commentary: Face-to-face communication leads to valuable opportunities

Senior enlisted leaders across AFMC are engaged in an effort to get "Back to the Basics." I'm extremely confident servicemembers and organizations across the command can and will benefit from this initiative.Many Airmen joined the Air Force, in part, for the discipline that was lacking in their lives and, as leaders, we do them a great disservice

23 Nov 2010

Commentary: Fall In!

What images come to mind when you hear the command "Fall in"? As a military member, you might recall the beginning of your career, with the T.I. in the 'Smokey the Bear' hat and dark-colored sunglasses screaming as you raced off the bus. As a civilian, you mightremember scenes from military movies like We Were Soldiers or Stripes.Whatever image