COMMENTARY>>Leadership is about relevance

By Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Brinkley
19th Airlift Wing, command chief

With new challenges arising as quickly as the calendar changes, we need leadership that is about making things happen versus wondering what’s happening.

A constant theme in our most prominent leaders is their relevance to those they lead and serve. Relevance isn’t about seeing the glass half full versus half empty; it’s about getting the most out of what’s in the glass.

Leaders who are relevant are people who never lose sight of the goals of the organization, no matter the distractions they encounter. In a word, relevant leaders are focused. As combat airlifters, if we ever lose sight of those on the other end of our airlift we will fail them; and failure is not an option. Not only is focus necessary, but it must be accompanied with increased knowledge.

As a leader, you represent many people and their interests. This requires you to become educated about things that may not directly affect you, but has huge bearing on your subordinates. Although you may not have toddlers in your house, you may want to be educated about services for children and families because these agencies are important to how we take care of our people. When your people know you are taking an interest in things that help them and their families, then they will support the organization in ways you never expected.

So focus and being well rounded are important to being relevant; but the key that brings it all together is communication. A relevant leader articulates the vision to those they lead, while articulating feedback from subordinates up the chain. If a leader struggles in the area of relevance, it’s typically in the area of communication.

Anyone can be a difference-maker on our team if they are determined to be relevant through focus, education and communication. So take the tools you have been given and get out there and make positive change a part your skill set.

Combat Airlift!