CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
"When I grow-up I want to be like ..." Does that statement sound familiar? This is something we may have said as children or maybe even heard our own kids say from time to time. We may have looked to our parents, brothers, sisters, family, friends, sports figure or a celebrity as a role model.
For me, I wanted to be like my father. I wanted to drive the same cars, go to the same schools, do the same job and cheer for the same sports teams.
Over the years, our role models may have changed depending on where we were in our lives. When we first joined the Air Force we applied the same principles we did as kids. We found an Air Force member to imitate; it could have been your recruiter, military training instructor or technical school instructor. I witnessed this first hand while stationed at Lackland AFB, Texas, watching basic trainee's trying to mimic what they saw their instructors doing. The way they marched, wore the uniform and performed were almost mirror images of their instructors.
Nothing changed when we arrived at our first duty location, we searched for someone to emulate. We sought guidance, leadership, discipline and feedback. This is something that has continued throughout our Air Force careers regardless of rank or position. Airmen stand back, watch and begin to imitate their chosen role models without that person even being aware they are influencing that Airman's actions.
As supervisors, leaders and Airmen in general, what type of role model are you? Are you setting a positive example? Are you doing the right things? It doesn't matter what rank you wear on your sleeve or shoulders, from airman basic to general. Anyone can be a role model that others follow.
After 24 years in the Air Force, I can still remember ranks, names and faces of those who made an impact on my life and career, both officer and enlisted, good and bad. The learning never stops; I am still learning to be a better and stronger leader every day.
As leaders and future leaders, you will not reinvent how to inspire, motivate or lead. Rather, along with your Professional Military Education, you will take a little from everyone who has made an impression on you, make adjustments and little improvements along the way and turn it into your own style of leadership. There is no single answer on becoming a good leader.
So ask yourself, "What kind of leader am I? What type of example do I set? How can I improve myself and my leadership abilities?"
We never seem to reach that goal of maturity in leadership because we are continually striving for improvement. So, take a minute and ask yourself ... who do you want to be like when you grow up?