MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Over the past 27 years, I have had the opportunity to work for a number of outstanding leaders in the United States Air Force. Each of these leaders brought different skill sets to the table that taught me valuable lessons on how to be successful not only in the military, but in everyday life. One thing I learned early on was there are several different types of leadership styles. The environment you find yourself in often dictates which approach will work best. Assessing the situation and choosing the right leadership style are critical and lay the foundation of becoming a great leader.
We often think of leaders as only our senior ranking military officials. But the fact of the matter is we are all leaders, from the Airman Basic to the Commander in Chief. The leadership style I want to concentrate on here is what I refer to as silent leadership. This style is the very basis of leadership and can be easily applied across all ranks of the military. It is through this approach that you will gain the respect and credibility of your leadership, peers and subordinates and be on your way to becoming a successful leader.
I was recently at the base Commissary picking up a couple of items before heading off to a function. As I checked out and paid the cashier, I started making my way towards the exit only to find myself weaving and dodging my way through a sea of people. At first I thought the worst; perhaps something bad was going down outside and people were taking cover for protection. But as I got closer to the door and glanced down at my watch everything started to make sense. By now I could hear the beautiful sound of freedom ringing outside that motivated me even more to reach the exit. Once I made it through the crowd, I stepped outside, put my bag down, faced the music and executed a sharp salute.
I would like to believe this was an isolated incident but I know better. I have witnessed this on military installations throughout the world. This particular day I just happened to be at the Commissary but no facility is off-limits. It happens everywhere; the post office, Shoppette, fitness facility, work centers and the list goes on. I often find myself struggling to try and understand why so many people are afraid to do what's right. As a leader I could have addressed the crowd as a whole but I chose not to. More than likely I would have probably been labeled as "That Guy" and not have been effective at all. Instead I chose to apply the Silent Leadership approach. Leading by example can be extremely effective and produce desired results; after all actions speak louder than words.
I realized that day I was in the Commissary fighting my way to the exit that some folks probably thought I was a little crazy. I even over heard one patron mumble "What is he doing?" I must admit it felt a little awkward at first, but those thoughts quickly vanished once I started reflecting on the why I was doing it. I did it because it was the right thing to do and if I influenced one person that day, then mission accomplished. Silent leadership is a powerful leadership approach we can all apply. It is the bedrock and lays the foundation of becoming a great leader, regardless if you have been in the military one day or 27 years. So think about what you will do the next time you find yourself in a similar situation. Will you be part of that sea of people or will you be a leader and have the courage to do what's right, step outside, face the music and show the people around you that you are a true leader and proud to be an American?