Leadership requires responsibility, discipline, listening to Mom

  • Published
  • By Maj. Robert Prausa
  • 71st Security Forces Squadron commander
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  I've been blessed over the past 23 years to be led by leaders - enlisted, officer, civilian, chaplain and Mom - that have shaped my belief system, work ethic and leadership style to emphasize personal sacrifice, accountability and ethical decision making.

I find these traits - instilled by those to whom I'll be forever grateful - are the foundation of leadership. Based on these learned traits, I offer these thoughts for your consideration.

Leadership occurs at all levels.

Whether you are a senior airman, technical sergeant or lieutenant, we need you to lead. In the Security Forces we expect Defenders to lead early.

Lieutenants frequently lead 100 or more in combat zones.

Senior airmen and staff sergeants lead heavily armed response teams in defense of strategic assets.

Airmen at entry control points lead teams that determine whether threats gains access to installations, or believe they can gain access as they observe us.

We expect our Defenders to accomplish these tasks without prejudice, favoritism, or reward.
Leadership is responsibility for performance and respect for people, careers, families, assets, missions and self.

I often hear people refer to the leadership style within the Security Forces career field as tough love. But from my perspective, it's simply the establishment and maintenance of responsibility.

Responsibility requires discipline. Discipline requires adherence to standards. Standards establish the maintenance of ethics. Ethics are the bonding elements that make our profession - well -- professional.

Sacrificing ethical behavior is not an option. Leaders cannot give the impression of impropriety. What we say, do not say, do, or do not do, is viewed as the accepted behavior.

We cannot consume too much alcohol or promote it.

We cannot walk past trash.

We cannot ridicule leaders' decisions or speak inappropriately behind their back.

We must correct sexual, sexist, racial jokes on the spot -- not laugh at them or pretend not to hear them.

We must watch out for our peers. Everyone has challenges in their life. Leadership is taking chances on subordinates while still holding them to standards.

Leadership is commitment to peers, supervisors, senior leaders and to the Air Force.

I believe stress drops when we integrate family and Air Force goals. Some believe we require separation between work and family. But, not all work has to be completed in the office. I'm a huge fan of the homework, where my daughter provides reviews on my progress.

Consider the loss of intellectual capital when we don't integrate our families. Take my unit's key spouses - who are, by the way, absolutely amazing. By integrating key spouses and my wife, we've gained four degrees, a registered nurse, a certified public accountant, cosmetologist, social worker, four cooks and four care-givers. They give their heart and soul to the unit and ask for nothing in return.

By integrating our family members into a network of support and intellectual capital, we create a better, more efficient, smarter team.

To all, I thank you for what you do every day. For the sacrifices you provide, for the stress you endure and for the difference you make.

To our Defenders, I am extremely proud of your performance. The leadership you provide daily under constant threat of harm is awesome. You are the reason why coming to work each day is so fulfilling.

Keep making a difference. HUA!