Tuesday, October 7, 2008
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Hilltop Times |  |
| • Commentary: Motivation is everything, your leader's and yours |
| Years ago I had a boss who was acutely aware of everything that was occuring in the office, put in long hours and united the workers like I had never before experienced. He was also the worst boss I've ever had. He was aware of what was happening around the office because he held innumerable meetings and micro-managed all of his subordinates. He worked long hours, not because there was important work to be done, but so his superiors could see he was in the office. And he united us as subordinates, because we had to pull together to support each other just to make it through the day. What was clear almost from the first day he arrived in the office was that the office's mission would be for him to succede and to be promoted within the organization. If we happened to do our jobs effectively in the process, that was just a bonus. |
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 |
| • Commentary: Effective communication essential to workplace success |
| The most common answer to the question, "What is your No. 1 problem or challenge at work, home, school or in relationships in general?" is communication. |
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 |
| • Commentary: Earning empowerment comes from within |
| Since the 1980s, there has been a lot of talk about quality. No, I'm not going to tell you to set your hair on fire or anything like that. From W. Edwards Deming (management statistician) to process improvement teams, to current AFSO21 Rapid Improvement Events, we have learned about, briefed, bragged about, and measured quality. You'll find it in almost every organization's mission statement and balanced scorecard. |
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 |
| • Commentary: Why a current 388th Airman serves |
| For the short amount of time I have been in the Air Force I cannot count the number of times that I have been asked the question, "Why did you join the military?" and I am always more than happy to give my reason. The answers to this question are just as diverse as the Air Force itself with different individuals who come from different backgrounds and I am no exception. |
Wednesday, September 3, 2008 |
| • Commentary: 'In Quest of Excellence' motivates 372nd recruiters |
| The 372nd Recruiting Group is unlike any organization I have ever been a part of. We have 800 recruiters assigned to eight squadrons that operate from Japan to Wisconsin. The average recruiter operates solo in a location often miles (if not hours) away from his/her supervisor. The recruiter's supervisor often works out of a location that is miles (if not hours) away from the squadron commander. And, with the exception of my squadron stationed at Hill Air Force Base, my closest squadron is a 60 minute airline flight away. A leadership challenge? Not as much as you might think. |
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 |
| • Commentary: A leadership question: 'Does the end justify the means?' |
| Niccolo Machiavelli wrote that "the ends justify the means." |
Wednesday, August 20, 2008 |
• Congratulations Team Hill on a job well-done  |
| Men and women of the Ogden Air Logistics Center, congratulations for meeting the high standards set by our command during the recent Logistics Standardization Evaluation Team inspection and Unit Compliance Inspection. |
| • Commentary from the 508th on LSET/UCI |
| Team ASW seizes opportunity! |
| • Commentary from the 309th on LSET/UCI |
| To the men and women of the 309th Maintenance Wing: |
| • Commentary from the 84th on LSET/UCI |
| Congratulations to the men and women of the 84th Combat Sustainment Wing! You're the best! I truly believe that. I see it every day. |
| • Commentary from the 75th on the LSET/UCI |
| Congratulations 75th ABW superstars! |
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 |
| • Commentary: What goes into creating a motivating environment? |
| People are the most important asset of any organization. Many accept their positions looking for new experiences, advancement opportunities or the basic desire to do something different. Personal and professional goals play a key part in how they target positions. I think we, as leaders, can create motivating environments where members of Team Hill can fulfill their personal goals while simultaneously achieving the Air Force mission. Let me convey my thoughts on creating a motivating environment using Abraham Maslow's model of the Hierarchy of Needs. |
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 |
| • Commentary: Command chief's early lesson on accountability |
| There I was, at a remote site with 42 other airmen, minimal contact with anybody outside the post, and serving as the lone postal warrior. It was hard to see the importance of the mission and the urgency behind doing things right. You could say I slightly fell into the trap of those that weren't happy to be there nor took seriously their responsibility. However, I learned the meaning of accountability soon after I met my new supervisor, Master Sgt. Atterberry. |
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 |
| • Welcome to the UCI/LSET team members |
| Dear Inspection Team Member: |
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 |
| • Commentary: The challenges and rewards of leadership apply to you |
| What makes a good leader? As the new 388th Operations Group commander, I've had a chance to reflect on this question. Ask a hundred people and you'll get a hundred different answers. We can each look back at the different commanders we have worked for in the past and remember the traits that we admired and the ones we didn't. While no one is perfect, hopefully you can take those good traits and apply them to your own leadership style. Whether you're leading a team, a flight or a squadron, the challenges of leadership can seem daunting, but the rewards are priceless. |
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 |
| • Commentary: Be SMART and ignore diversions along the way |
| Success is achieving a goal you have set. Think of it as a straight single-lane road with two-story buildings on both sides. You are the only one on this road, and your goal is getting to the finish line. You can go as fast or as slow as you want. However, there are many who live in these buildings, always encouraging you to deviate from your goal. Much of the problem is that we do not set SMART goals, that is, our goals need to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. |
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 |
| • Commentary: Visual information contributes to winning wars |
| Tucked away in the 1200-series buildings of Hill's west side is an Air Education and Training Command squadron; one of Team Hill's many associate units. While you've likely heard of the 367th Training Support Squadron, you're not alone if you have no idea what it does here at Hill, or for the Air Force more broadly. |
Thursday, July 3, 2008 |
| • Commentary: Appropriate time to reflect on sacrifices made, support our deployed troops |
| For the last 232 years the United States of America has been a beacon for peace, freedom and liberty. America earned that reputation through courageous acts of patriotism by our founding fathers and through bravery on battlefields from Bunker Hill to Baghdad. Today, we pause to remember and honor the millions of Americans whose dedication and personal sacrifice have secured our independence, preserved our liberties, and protected our way of life. We also thank those who continue to do that today. |
| • Commentary: Independence Day reminds us of need to preserve freedoms |
| WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- As the July 4th weekend approaches, many of us will come together to celebrate Independence Day. It's a holiday with the power to transcend differences, as people across the country honor our great nation. |
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 |
| • Commentary: So ... you feel as though you're in milkbone apparel |
| You may view your government employment situation as a dog-eat-dog environment and you're wearing milk-bone underwear. It doesn't have to be that way. There are signals to be read that can make your work life more enjoyable. Some of the signals are easy to read and some not so easy to read. I've worked in the personnel arena for three decades. I've made eight Permanent Change of Station moves to a variety of bases in five different commands, including tours at Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Headquarters Air Force at the Pentagon and two tours overseas. In my career, I've found, in order to survive with your sanity you need a little humor and a lot of common sense. Some things you learn the hard way (the light that suddenly comes on is often low wattage), and some things come more easily. However, there are a few things that I've found to be true in all of my experiences and in all locations. Some of the following I've learned through reading obscure management books, some shared with me by mentors and concerned bosses, and others I've learned from making the mistake on my own. Although I can't claim them all for my own works, here are my favorite "survival tips" for getting along in the government workplace. |
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 |
| • Commentary: Get on track with change, make adjustments |
| When I hear the word "change" two thoughts come to mind: 1) It's never easy, and 2) It's necessary to keep any organization vital. Anyone who looks at the Air Force would certainly reach the conclusion that we are in a season of change. This should not be a surprise. The Air Force has always been in a state of change, and that's a good thing! |
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 |
| • Commentary: "I am an American Airman, I am a Warrior ...' |
| It was a little over a year ago that our senior leadership officially released our Airmen's Creed. |
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 |
| • Commentary: 'Great'-est Air Force not served as well by 'good' |
| "Good is the enemy of Great." This is the first line of Jim Collins' book "Good to Great" and it encapsulates his team's five year research effort to learn if good companies can become great companies. But what is great? Interestingly enough, Collins, in his "Good to Great and the Social Sectors: A Monograph to Accompany Good to Great," indicates that "a great organization is one that delivers superior performance and makes a distinctive impact over a long period of time." Any organization can become a great organization and the concepts -- namely strong discipline -- apply to the nonbusiness segment including government and the military because "a culture of discipline is not a concept of business but a concept of greatness." Indeed, we have very good organizations throughout this center specifically and the Air Force in general -- but isn't it our goal to be great? Our Air Force is great when it comes to flying and maintaining aircraft and other weapons systems -- i.e., operations. |
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 |
| • Commentary: 101 Critical Days of Summer focuses on risk management |
| We are entering the 101 Critical Days of Summer, the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day. |
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 |
| • Let's observe Memorial Day's true meaning |
| WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- This Memorial Day, I invite you to join me in a tradition that has been somewhat forgotten over time. On May 26, let's celebrate the true meaning of this national holiday by flying our American flags at half staff from dawn until noon. |
| • Hill remembers its fallen airmen |
| The importance of Memorial Day can never be overstated. For many, it is the start of summer with backyard barbecues, camping and spending time with the family. But this year at Hill AFB it is a special Memorial Day because we are honoring Hill's heroes. On Monday at 1130 hours, we will dedicate a memorial to honor our fallen heroes who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. We will honor Tech. Sgt. Timothy R. Weiner, Senior Airman Elizabeth A. Loncki, Senior Airman Daniel B. Miller Jr. and Special Agent Ryan A. Balmer. We ask you to join Team Hill, the families of our heroes and our supportive community leaders in this tribute. |
| • Team Hill Memorial Park -- you made it happen! |
| Whew, it's here! Memorial Day coupled with an AFMC and ACC Family Day means a well-earned, much needed four-day break for many of us. But as you are making weekend plans, I hope you will take a minute to carve out some time from the hiking, biking, fishing, boating and barbecuing, to join us in dedicating the Team Hill Memorial Park and honoring our four airmen killed in action last year. |
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 |
| • Commentary: First-line supervisors ... key to organizational success |
| Everyone has used the terms "leader" and "leadership." Many have actually studied, and perhaps debated, the meanings of these terms. If you were to ask 100 people to define "leadership" and to identify some traits of an outstanding leader, you would undoubtedly be able to easily identify a common theme and common traits throughout the responses, even if they are articulated differently. |
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 |
| • Commentary: What's in your tool kit as an Air Force leader? |
| "What do you want to be when you grow up?" This is the question posed to us (albeit in different form) as we grow personally and professionally. Within the Air Force and more specifically, for all our airmen, I would suggest that aspiration would be to lead. For me professionally, my greatest experiences have been while being "in command" -- including some of the most rewarding and some of the most challenging. |
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 |
| • Commentary: It's all in the dash, that which defines your life |
| Life is a series of dashes. If you think about it, your life will one day be captured as a birth date and death date with a dash in between. Garth Brooks said it very well, "What's more important is the time that is known in that little dash there in between" ("Pushing Up Daisies," Scarecrow, 2001). We have no control over the beginning or the ending but the dash is in our control. It is the dash that your families and friends will remember and defines your purpose. |
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