Define moments with human approach

7/16/2002 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- An actor in the movie "Tin Cup" said the world is full of defining moments. The question is whether the moment will define you or you will define the moment.

Young leaders may not know this, but those defining moments are constantly happening. They are not always on such a large scale as the movie makes them out to be.

When a troop approaches you to talk about a personal problem but you're too busy to talk, that is a defining moment. When you accept pats on the back for the job your shop did well, but blame your airmen when things go wrong, that is a defining moment.

Recent surveys claim that many airmen are leaving the service due to poor leadership. It usually wasn't one big screw-up by a supervisor that made someone want to leave but many small defining moments.

If supervisors make the right choices during those moments, they can define themselves as leaders rather than having the moment define them as weak and ineffectual.

Being a good leader is a tough job, but it's fulfilling when done properly. Balancing the troops' needs with the demands of the mission is a daily struggle.

Putting a human approach into your decision-making process will always help you define the moment. Putting myself in their shoes usually helps me determine the right approach to take with subordinates.

I know there are times when you must tell someone "Go do that right now." Later on, when time is not such a factor, take the time to explain why it was so important for that person to perform that task right away and thank the person for doing it well. This puts a human touch on the situation and allows you to help define the moment.

Who will work better for me? An airman who does what he or she is told because of the stripes on my arm or the airman who I have helped through many defining moments? If you have earned your leadership role through many small defining moments, your troops will do everything in their power not to let you down.

Defining moments happen every day. They may not be noticeable to you, but they may be to your troops.

Did you help them when they needed it? Did you give them a shoulder to cry on when a parent passed away? Did you kick them in the rear when they needed it? Did you fight for a decoration for them?

Decisions you make everyday define you as a leader. Make your decisions count! (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service)