Leadership, not likership: how will you use your influence? Published Nov. 9, 2009 By Chief Master Sgt. Tim Omdal 21st Space Wing command chief PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- About a month from now, I will take off my uniform for the last time. I have had the honor and privilege to serve our Air Force and nation for nearly 30 years and without a doubt, it has been one of the most rewarding experiences a person could ever ask for. As I thought of the different topics I wanted to share, one kept coming to mind. A few years ago, on my last deployment, about 300 security forces members and I entered Camp Buehring, Kuwait, for some additional training before we went into Iraq. As we entered the camp, I noticed several large signs along the road that read: - Look like a Leader - Act like a Leader - Be a Leader - We need Leadership not Likership We are all leaders in some way and each of us will influence at least 10,000 other people in our lifetime. So the question is not if you will influence someone, but how will you use your influence? As we think of the statements on the signs I saw as I entered Camp Buehring, what do they really mean? Look like a Leader: As a young security forces Airman, I learned early on that first impressions go a long way. Do you look like a leader? Are you fit? Is your blues shirt pressed? Are you ever in need of a haircut? Do you wear your uniform correctly and proudly? As Airmen and leaders, we all set the example for others to follow; we must always be the role model for others to follow. Act like a leader: How is a leader supposed to act? Leaders aren't afraid to step out and make the tough decisions. It may not be the most popular decision, but the right decision is often not the most popular. All of us, regardless of rank, are charged to enforce standards. Leaders don't walk past problems but correct the problem or provide solutions to their supervisors. Our Airmen want to be led. Give them guidance and direction, step back and you will be amazed. Be a leader: When I think of a leader, I think of Staff Sgt. Charles Perry who was my first supervisor in the Air Force. Sergeant Perry cared for me. He would often stop by my dorm and check to make sure everything was OK. The night before I took my career development end of course test, he stopped by my room to give me one last quiz and the confidence that I could score above a 95 on my test. I knew Sergeant Perry would be there for me if I needed him; he believed in me. He saw potential in me that I didn't know existed and always provided me with both positive and constructive feedback which made me want to do better. Sergeant Perry was a leader who challenged and developed me as an Airman. Being an average Airman was not acceptable. In the days when we did not have electronic publications, I became the base publication librarian's best friend. Sergeant Perry would require me to visit the base publications library to check out the Air Force regulations. I was required to read each and every one that was identified in my upgrade training plan, which helped me to develop a hunger to be the best security policeman in the Air Force. Rather than ask someone what the regulation required, I would always get the regulation and find it for myself. Sergeant Perry was a leader who invested back into others, there is no doubt I'm a chief master sergeant because of him and the influence he had in my life and development as an Airman. He looked like a leader, acted like a leader and he was a leader. We need leadership, not likership: What do I mean by likership? While not in the dictionary, the meaning is clear when seen in the context of the other signs displayed while entering the camp...be a leader not a follower. We can all relate to a leader or supervisor who wants to be liked, which is natural, but there is a difference between a leader who treats their people with respect and makes the tough decisions versus a supervisor who is afraid to make a decision or does not hold their Airmen accountable or enforce standards. What about a leader who is afraid to give tough love when it is required or a leader who tells their bosses what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear. We also have those leaders whose Airmen are all superstars and do not give the ratings they have earned but rather what they feel they are entitled to, and those who always pass the buck up the chain. Any decision that is not popular, they blame the decision on "they" rather than explaining they are a part of "they." Will you always be liked by everyone? Probably not, but leadership is not about a popularity contest but about developing and growing Airmen. Robert Coles, a profession at Harvard University said it best, "I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you a formula for failure, which is try to please everybody." I believe our Airmen want to be led, they want to be challenged and have a leader who holds them accountable and we owe this to them. As I depart our great Air Force and look over my shoulder, I see great Airmen who look like leaders, act like leaders, and are leaders. I encourage you to fight for leadership and not likership. Thanks for your continued service and what you do each and every day but more importantly what you will do for our Airmen and nation in the future.