JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Throughout my career, there have been a handful of people that have opened many doors for me and that has greatly contributed to my success. Currently, my success is the result of the men and women that I am responsible for - because without them there is no success. One of the many things that my military experience has led me to understand is: effective leaders do not manage people - effective leaders lead people and manage outcomes. Therefore everyone is a stakeholder.
There is a Cherokee fable about two wolves - one good - one bad. The fable revolves around an elderly Cherokee having a conversation with his grandson. He explains to his grandson that a battle exists within each of us and that battle is between two "wolves" - one good - one bad.
The grandfather went on to say the bad wolf entices anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. On the other hand, the good wolf encourages joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.
After a moment of introspection, the young Cherokee asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"
The grandfather simply replied, "The one you feed."
This fable can be symbolic of many things, but for a moment, let's correlate it to the organization you may work in. Our lives are filled with choices and sometimes, trying to make a responsible decision is like playing pin the tail on the donkey after you have been spun around until you are dizzy. No one can be expected to make decisions that will lead to success blindly and without direction - especially the people, you as a leader, are responsible for.
Although no one is immune from making "bad" or not so good decisions, effective leadership is what can help shape the choices and decisions your Airmen will make while increasing their value to your organization.
Leadership at all levels must assume the responsibility of creating an environment that not only allows people to make choices that will lead to their success, but grow as individuals as well. Providing direction allows those you are responsible for to be fully aware of the choices they are going to be required to make and the consequences of those choices. Although we can't be absolutely certain every decision we make will be the best decision, if your people are equipped with the proper tools to assist in the decision making process, they will understand the choices they make, the consequences of those choices and how those choices and consequences affect them, their colleagues and their organization.
Sometimes the men and women that will one day replace you are not aware of the value you place on their service to the Air Force and your organization. As a leader, you have an obligation to open doors that help them understand that they are, indeed, a valuable asset to the Air Force team and that many of them will someday make up organizational leadership. The Airmen you develop to become future leaders must also know and understand their service is deeply appreciated and this is why the Air Force invests a great deal of time, money and training into ensuring each of them is a capable and competent team member.
There is a common perception that leadership is all about making inspiring speeches to brainwash the unsuspecting masses. While this can occur, this perception ultimately misses the most common aspects of personal leadership - influencing others during critical moments when face-to-face or in a group. As leaders, we can dramatically improve your ability to influence others. However, while it may sound obvious, few people understand their primary sources of influence, how those sources work and how to strengthen those sources of influence.
The battle of the two wolves exists in each of us; the Airmen you serve are much more vulnerable to the wolf of manipulation, ego, and selfishness. They cannot fight this battle alone. We are responsible for leading and feeding the wolf of collective effort, self-awareness and the Air Force Core Values. Your Airmen's value can be confirmed through encouragement, strength building through positive feedback and direction. Both wolves are hungry but the wolf that survives is the wolf that is fed the most.
Which wolf are you feeding?