Leaders exist at all levels of an organization. Rank does not necessarily identify a leader; in some way, each of us has the opportunity to demonstrate leadership every day, from our junior airmen and lieutenants, to senior NCOs and colonels.
This is done during the course of accomplishing our daily routine, making improvements, helping others to perform their duties, and , overall, making mission accomplishment a successful endeavor.
Recognizing, acknowledging and rewarding those who demonstrate such leadership, and mentoring them to further develop their skills, is of paramount importance in building a strong Air Force team.
The core values of integrity, service before self, and excellence in all we do are certainly important characteristics in any leader. We all know what these core values mean, but it sometimes seems that integrity is interpreted in shades of gray.
Integrity is not situational. Integrity means doing what is right, even when no one else is looking. It means wearing your hat when in uniform even if you are just standing in your front yard, on base or off, or walking to or from your car, or going to the mailbox at your curb.
It means not accepting a lack of integrity in others when such lapses are
know to you. Demonstrating integrity in even the seemingly most inconsequential
of situations goes a long way in establishing credibility. If we apply it
in all aspects of our lives, not just at work, we stand a better chance of
prevailing in all our undertaking.
As John Wayne noted in one of his movies, "Loyalty may be owed to others, but integrity is man's supreme obligation to himself."
Good leaders exhibit fairness and "backbone." Leaders, whether supervisors or commanders, should always strive to be fair, to give the same level of punishment or reward to each individual in a given situation.
This is not to say we should not consider extenuating or mitigating circumstances.
Each situation should be evaluated on its individual merits. But act we must; to overlook bad behavior because confrontation is uncomfortable or we don't know what to do is unacceptable.
This is where the backbone comes in; it isn't easy to hold others accountable, but it is an essential part of integrity to do so. And when you do, people know the rules and will always know where they stand.
Successful leaders at all levels expect the best of themselves and their people, take advantage of opportunities to develop their leadership skills and hold themselves and others accountable. And when they do, they and the unit reap bountiful rewards in loyalty, pride and performance.