U.S. Air Force

LTC Storlie,

Thanks in advance for your work in crafting the USAA article. It will certainly provide value for a lot of folks and I look forward to reading it.

In my experience as a satellite systems operator and AETC instructor for ground systems, a few things really stick out to me. As an instructor, I really worked to be intentional with my communication of these points:

1 - You don’t have to understand every aspect of the mission for the mission to be valid. In other words, we all have a role to play (in any organization) and executing your role (i.e. what you have control over) extremely well, generally results in achieving your desired outcomes. When you’re team lives by this model, Integrity (commitment and trust) and Respect (honor and value) become your culture.

2 - With a an organization’s methodology (Point 1 - Culture) understood, relationship can cultivate and grow. IMO, it’s in the relationship that great organizations separate themselves from good organizations. Relationship grows exponentially when you:
2.1 Commit to serve a cause/purpose/mission greater than yourself, without an expectation of reward or reciprocation
2.2 Trust the man/woman standing next to you to live up to their commitment by serving in the role that they have been entrusted to the best if their ability
2.3 Honor those around you, and the mission you serve, by reciprocating Commitment and Trust. Especially when societal norms might suggest it’s ok to break your commitment or to place your trust elsewhere. This is the glue that keeps an organization strong by minimizing infighting and recidivism.
2.4 Value those around you, for the role they play and the effort they put forth. Empowering others to shine by lifting up their effort (in spite of outcomes) is a powerful tool.
* Reward in public | Scold in private

3 - And possibly the most important ... YOU are the organization! What you say, think, and do duplicates directly and indirectly into every organization you touch and every relationship that you have. You can “be the light” or you can “bring the dark”