- Published Dec. 22, 2014
- By Maj. SCOTT HALL
- 56th Component Maintenance Squadron
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. —
My personal leadership philosophy can be summed up in just a few words — people first, mission always.
Some may mistake the phrase “people first, mission always” as a dictum to coddle unit
, but actually, my focus is on preparing them to overcome adversity. The mission will always press on, but without an engaged workforce the mission may not thrive.
By focusing on the needs of unit personnel, we strengthen a key enabler that drives mission success. Therefore, leaders must nurture the people in their organizations with the intention of developing a competent, highly motivated and cohesive workforce that stands ready to tackle any challenge. Easier said than done but it should always be the goal.
Let us further examine the term “people first.” While not all-inclusive, these principles are a good baseline for cultivating the workforce.
The most important element is ensuring our people have a leader they can look to and depend on. Leaders must embody their role and set the tone for the organization. Through our actions and demeanor, leaders set an example of the behavior we want
. We must show our commitment to them by putting their needs before our own whenever possible. Furthermore, as leaders we must ensure all unit personnel understand the unit mission and objectives while also providing clear guidance on our expectations.
The second most important element to taking care of people is ensuring they are set up for success. Leaders must ensure personnel have the training, tools, equipment and technical data to perform their jobs. Having a competent and properly equipped workforce maximizes their effectiveness, improves morale and reduces frustrations related to poor performance.
This also involves actively looking for ways to reduce their burdens. One method is continuously looking for ways to improve unit processes; another technique is removing obstacles that prevent personnel from efficiently or effectively accomplishing their jobs. Since we are not the subject-matter-expert in their specific jobs, leaders must actively solicit feedback from unit personnel to achieve this goal.
