Commentary Search

  • Leadership perspective: Tearing down the walls of intolerance

    MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. — I am a Christian, and my faith defines me. It provides the foundation of my values, attitudes and beliefs. To know me, to know the lens I view the world through, you must know my faith. Prior to taking command, I feared how to introduce myself to the new squadron. I

  • If you were king for a day…

    MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. — I was a staff sergeant stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, and it was one of the rare occasions in which the wing commander visited our team at the work site. After we saluted and shook hands, he immediately broke the air of silence with one simple

  • Are you ready to lead?

    MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. — The path to command is a journey that can take more than a decade for some, but no matter how long your path is, your chance to lead might begin today. Are you ready to lead?While there are countless books, articles and leadership seminars to help guide you to

  • Can I get a handclap?

    MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. — You may have heard the song by Fitz and the Tantrums and seen the trending “Lemme get two claps and a Ric Flair” YouTube videos, and I know you’ve definitely heard my version. Cue the eye-roll: You probably think I’m a “hugger” too. That’s not exactly right though.I

  • The Air Force they deserve

    MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.—Personnel at McConnell Air Force Base are blessed to serve in a supportive, military-friendly community.Whenever I am off the installation in uniform, I am constantly being thanked for my service. On several occasions, my lunch tab was picked up by an anonymous citizen

  • Riding for the brand

    MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. — Many of us remember watching cowboy shows and movies on TV when we were kids. They were mostly about justice and fighting for what was right, and they showed outlaws, rustlers, sheriffs and marshals. One thing that always seemed to be in those movies were large

  • Leadership by example

    I am privileged to serve with members of the U.S. Air Force, who are dedicated, innovative and live a life of sacrifice.

  • Leaders: Born or made?

    Have you ever considered whether leaders are born or if they’re made? Which is greater? Put mathematically, is Made Leadership > Born Leadership?

  • Mentor, coach, lead

    Many consider leadership a trait you’re born with it, while some consider it a trait you hone and develop through reflection and feedback. I contend it is both—we all have leadership qualities within in us, and it is our life experiences and interactions that shape them.My kindergarten teacher, Ms.

  • What happened to “us?”

    Let’s be honest with ourselves—the majority of the Air Force is made up of technical career fields, whether that is a flight crew following a checklist, a maintainer or logistic readiness squadron Airmen completing equipment preventative maintenance inspection, or civil engineers maintaining real