Sharing Success - Owning Failure: Preparing to Command in the 21st Century Air Force
Abstract
The intent of this paper is to help squadron commanders in the Air Force prepare mentally for the task ahead by discussing a few themes central to a successful command tour. It will not answer all of the questions about "how to command" nor will it break any radically new ground in the "art of leadership". Rather, the ideas expressed here are intended to spark imagination as you begin preparing now for how you want to command your squadron. In researching this project, I asked officers from across the Air Force, recently from command, to share stories of the greatest challenges they faced. What was the environment? How did they react? Why did they choose a particular path? Most importantly - what did they learn from the experience? Many of the stories included in the paper involve situations in which the individual failed. Why? Because, it is from studying our failures that we learn, grow, and improve as officers and leaders. As a commander, you will be privileged to share in the success of your organization; however, you will personally own every failure. In the end, this is the true loneliness of command. Failure comes with risk and both are integral to a successful command tour.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA407689
Entities
People
- David L. Goldfein
Organizations
- Air University