Commentary: You need some attitude

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. W.E. Gene Mattingly
  • 100th Communications Squadron commander
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  We've all heard a lot lately about budget cuts and manpower cuts, and I realize full well how this concerns all of us in the U.S. Air Force and across the Department of Defense for that matter. As it relates, I've heard a few quips in recent months. One goes like this: "The money is gone, now it's time to think."

I'm tired of the doom and gloom quite frankly, and I think I'm tired of the quips and quotes. So I will try not to use them again as I opine in the coming paragraphs.

What I do believe it is time for is what we continually do very well in the Air Force and that is effective leadership. That's right! In the toughest times, that is when many of our greatest leaders emerge. I'm not simply referring to general officer or senior executive service leadership, or a wing commander, or commanders at all the various levels of leadership; I'm talking about Airmen leadership across the spectrum of ranks.

Times are tough in our Air Force, and I'm certain great leaders will emerge as we move forward in uncertain times. After all, it's what we do, and we are good at it too - we face extreme difficulty and strategize and plan our way through difficulties to realize victory. Sometimes we even simply work our way through tough times. We just get on with it - that is, the work at hand. In this case, through hard work and dedicated leadership at all levels, we will realize victory over budget deficits, reduced spending, manpower reductions and cut backs to our vital programs.

So what attribute of leadership is critical at this time? I believe it is a positive mental attitude, a can-do attitude, and finally, a never-quit attitude. In one word summary - Attitude!

I have served through many force restructures and reductions throughout the course of a quarter century of Air Force service. My first one in 1989 was a date of sepration rollback as a senior airman. The next was as staff sergeant in 1993, and since then there were many SERBS and other early retirement programs that have come and gone.

Here we are again in 2012 facing major challenges, and people are being asked to leave. While some of those folks may need to go, there will be many we lose who are hard-working fellow Airmen. However, the Air Force is over our authorized end strength, and thus, some of our faithful fellow servants are being asked to leave. It is sad, but those hard-working fellow Airmen will become successful outside the Air Force because what made them a success in the Air Force will propel them to equal, if not unparalleled, success beyond the Air Force. Why? I say because of attitude.

As leaders at all levels, we must instill in one another the attitude that no matter what happens that we keep a positive mental outlook (attitude) to keep working to make a difference everyday and to never quit on making today count.

See, I don't worry about what the Air Force decides about my fate, and I never have in my service to God and country. What I've always kept focus on is doing a darn good job - my best day in and out - and what happens ... happens.

So far, and I know that eventually my day will come, but so far, I haven't really been affected by the turmoil. Why? I believe it's attitude. I don't focus on what I can't control, but what I can, and I keep a "can-do attitude."

I refuse to let my attitude reflect less than I'm capable of, and I'm capable of doing my very best in my work, and I do it. I'm capable of never giving up, so I don't. As one might conceive, this attitude has propelled me through a DoS Rollback, RIFs, SERBs, etc. But if I do face an "exit right" scenario, my attitude will propel me to success long after I've hung up my combat boots. A "never give up attitude" is required. Leaders do this... E-1 to O-10! Their attitudes propel them to success.

In closing this short commentary, I told a fib about not using any more quotes. Here's the only other quote, which comes from a favorite Dr. Suess book of mine:
"Oh the places you'll go ... Will you succeed? Yes you will indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)"

Of course you will - with the right attitude!

(Author's note - For a good short read on attitude I suggest John Maxwell's book, "ATTITUDE 101.")