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Resolve to be a better leader

  • Published
  • By Maj. Billeye Juarez
  • 375th Force Support Squadron commander
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  This year I experienced a Memorial Day Weekend like no other. As the Force Support Squadron commander, I provided logistical support to the families of two fallen heroes. 

A weekend like that makes you appreciate what is important in life and what one's priorities should be. I came to work that Tuesday with a new perspective and focus ... to continue to ensure the mission gets done, while not losing sight of those in my squadron. 

A wise mentor once told me, "Your success as a leader/commander is directly proportional to the amount of time you spend out of your office." And while I knew this to be true when I took command of the Mission Support Squadron in July 2008, I was soon distracted by my other responsibilities. Knowing I was falling short in my first six months of command, my New Year's resolution was to get out of the office more, but I failed. As of April 3, the Services Squadron and the Mission Support Squadron joined efforts and became the Force Support Squadron, giving me the rare chance to have another opportunity to do better. Although the last thing I want to do is admit my leadership mistakes in the base paper, if my doing so helps even one person it will have been worth it. 

I have promised myself and via this article, my squadron, that in the remaining year of my command tour I will do better at "taking care of my Airmen." I now have times blocked on my calendar to leave my office, and visit my folks who work diligently everyday. My recommendation is to visit first thing in the morning before you even look at e-mail. Once you open the inbox, it's hard not to get sucked in. Additionally, when you are out and about visiting, focus on your people, not the cell phone. Your people will appreciate it, and you will learn more than you ever thought you would about your squadron. 

Mentoring is another key aspect of "taking care of our Airmen." As the MSS/CC and personnel functional expert for the wing, I had the responsibility to provide mentoring to the officers in my career field. I only had three officers, two of whom worked directly for me and received daily mentoring so I never held formal mentoring sessions. Now, I have 11 officers that need guidance during this turbulent time in the FSS career field. 

Good intentions are not always reality. I have been on the other side, working for a supervisor or commander whom I rarely saw ... didn't take any interest in me, didn't care to know me, and didn't guide me. If this is you, make the effort. More importantly, I've also publicly announced my resolve to address these leadership challenges and be a better leader/commander in the future. So I pose this question to you ... how much time have you spent today mentoring, teaching and caring for your Airmen?