Special Needs Fair

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- As a father of a 15-year-old son with autism, Lt. Col. Gene Layeski, Air Mobility Command, explains how the Parent and Teacher Organization for Exceptional Children, a foundational sporting coalition that feeds into the Special Olympics program, has helped his own son and many other children with special needs be able to participate in sporting programs. More than 20 helping agencies were available Feb. 11 to discuss their services during an special needs information fair hosted by the Airman and Family Readiness Center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Petitt)

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Leadership…key to OUTSTANDING performance!

Published Feb. 18, 2010
By Col. Gary Goldstone
375th Air Mobility Wing Commander

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- As we continue toward the final countdown to our Operational Readiness Inspection, I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of leadership and followership.

As leaders we must set the example and display excellence in all we do. Good leaders motivate people toward a common goal, and our ORI goal is to perform in an OUTSTANDING manner and leave no doubt that we deliver combat-ready Airmen to the fight.

Mr. John Reh, a senior businessman who manages projects up to $125 million and over 200 people, outlines some key attributes of good leaders that I think are applicable to our ORI preparation. He said:

· Leaders know what they want to do. We know what we want ... a combat ready wing, with combat ready Airmen ready to answer our nation's call 24/7. This capability will be proven with OUTSTANDING ORI results!

· Leaders tell people what to do, not how to do it. We will continue to outline expectations and provide avenues for training, but you, as good leader-followers, know how to make it happen.

· Leaders do their homework. We have done a lot of homework and have made adjustments to better our deployment and combat capability. Our wing has practiced and exercised and we are still engaged on making the final adjustments required to perform in an outstanding manner on our final exam. All of us need to continue to study the rules, practice hard and be ready for any wartime scenarios we are challenged with.

· Leaders lead by example. This is a back-to-basics concept. The fastest way to lose credibility is to say one thing and do another. And, good leaders don't ask their Airmen to do something they are not willing to do. It's as simple as that.

· Leaders demand excellence. Our real-world mission demands daily excellence of us, not just during the ORI. It is particularly important that we strive for excellence at all times--I know you are up to the task. True leadership is shown when things don't go as planned ... our solutions and audibles may not be perfect, but how we attack the issue and resolve it speaks volumes.

· Leaders take care of their people. We need to ensure we're ready to go, and that we have the tools and training needed for safe mission accomplishment. The team's strength comes from knowing our Airmen, knowing what they bring and knowing how to help them be the best they can be.

· Leaders are humble and have character. We need leaders who are honest and don't find the easy way out of tough situations. We need leaders who think more of their teammates than they do of themselves.

These are just a few timeless attributes we should demonstrate as we lead our team into the ORI. Good leaders will inevitably create great followers, and that in turn will help us achieve OUTSTANDING results as we Enable Combat Power!

Special Needs Fair