Followership key during Year of Leadership

Published March 11, 2009
By Thea Skinner
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Air power is the next level of 'hooah' in the "American Warrior," explained Chief Master Sgt. Bob Vasquez during the Year of Leadership: Followership briefing at the base auditorium here, Feb. 23.

Chief Vasquez is a member of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Center for Character Development and professor at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Chief Vasquez is also a course director for the freshman seminar, Vital Effective Character through Observation and Reflection, known as VECTOR, at the USAFA.

"Once we stop growing, we start dying," said Chief Vasquez. "I think we are going in the wrong direction when we tell people we are leaders before we are followers. To be a good leader, you have to be a good follower."

Growth in the warrior mindset carried through the followership briefing as a way of life through Air Force Core Values of "Integrity First," "Service Before Self," and "Excellence In All We Do."

A visual display depicted the characteristics of followership in the spokes of a wheel centered with a purpose. The characteristics of a follower are: purpose, initiative, accountability, responsibility, dependability, critical thinking, humility, effective communication, obedience and commitment.

"The spokes support the wheel. If you take out one spoke, the wheel does not work," said Maj. Ross Keener, Air Force Space Command space systems analysis. "All of the characteristics are what you have to do to be a follower."

The primary focal point of the wheel is purpose, which is the stronghold of followership characteristics. Purpose allows personnel to know their roles are not simply a job.

"What should our purpose be as Airmen and civilians," Chief Vasquez asked. "Shouldn't we do what we need to do to inspire others to carry out the boss' s vision? Our purpose has to be to achieve that vision."

Since purpose is driven by energy of the characteristics of the spokes in the wheel working together, the momentum creates success. Understanding purpose allows for the characteristics of the spokes to maneuver.

Chief Vasquez's briefing came on the heels of his participation in the National Character and Leadership Symposium held at the USAFA, Feb. 21.

"I told people at the symposium I would do what I do for free. I would do it for free, because I love it so much - that comes from purpose," he said.

Being a follower and leader requires an investment in quality time to develop and further the careers of deserving personnel and Chief Vasquez experienced such an investment while overseas.

An Airman working in finance at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, assisted Chief Vasquez in his role on the Primary Promotion Board. Chief Vasquez worked at family support services. Although the Airmen did not work in the same office, the Airman in finance created a budget spreadsheet for Chief Vasquez to present to the board.

"The Airman was a two striper and I began following her [leadership for this project]," Chief Vasquez said of the Airman who was under no obligation to create the budget, but followed through with a spirit of service leading by example.

Also while at Ramstein AB, Chief Vasquez tutored youth at family support services and he noticed a need to learn the language of youth in order to create effective communication.
As he addressed critical thinking and the places where publics get information, such as text messages and e-mails, a chief in the audience mentioned that critical thinking from reading books is no longer occurring.

Modern times have fewer personnel doing more in the Air Force and Chief Vasquez explained personnel and Airmen have higher visibility while serving.

"We used to hide people," he said. "We need our Airmen to be good followers.'

"I've been honored to be part of several programs offered to fulfill the general's vision. I hope it continues and even grows beyond the year," said Chief Vasquez. "The Year of Leadership initiative is a great way for the general to emphasize what he believes is important in his command."

Year of Leadership continues in March when AFSPC will focus on mentoring in various environments and levels of leadership.

(Editor's Note: This article is one of several highlighting the Air Force Space Command Year of Leadership and its focus on followership.)