• Victory in the infinite healthcare game

    WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Oh. -- As a leader, it’s an honor to deliver healthcare benefits in the second largest medical group in the United States Air Force here at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Despite the COVID pandemic and several deployment operations in the continental U.S. and

  • Work-life balance: A challenge for us all

    WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- “Go home, Nate!”That’s a line I’ve heard from numerous commanders and supervisors on late afternoons or early evenings, while I was still in the office (working or not) after most of the team had gone home.It was a phrase meant to say: “It’s OK, the work will

  • Leaders solve problems, take teams to new heights

    WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Over the past 30 years (including one military and eight civilian assignments), I have amassed a collection of leadership tenets that cross functional boundaries and traverse borders. These are valuable lessons, learned from experience, which cover

  • Oath of office a bond between you, nation

    WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- For most of us in the Department of Defense, federal service became “real” when we first took an oath to “protect (or support) and defend the Constitution of the United States,” even though many of us may not have fully understood what an oath even was at

  • There’s no secret formula — just ‘go do’

    WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- As with most officers, I have been training and preparing for the squadron commander job from my first day as a second lieutenant.By now, I always envisioned I would have some magical catchphrase that would instantly inspire my Airmen to work harder, faster

  • Semper Gumby: Empowering our teams through flexibility

    WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- We have all heard the old sayings: “adapt and overcome,” “strength and flexibility are the keys to airpower,” and my personal favorite — “Semper Gumby (always flexible).”The common thread through these phrases is that flexibility and adaptability are

  • Seasons of Change are Inherent in Leadership

    WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OH -- As we enter this season of change and the anniversary of my first year as deputy director, I reflect on some of my experiences here at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, especially with those with leadership. Let’s just call these a few leadership lessons from

  • Get to know your people’s ‘story’

     WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Oh -- Years ago when I initially met one of my mentors, the first thing he asked me was: “What’s your story?”He was an imposing man who leaned into the words he spoke. It was not a question I had expected and I was not sure what information he wanted exactly, so to

  • When leading, be a conductor, not a virtuoso

    WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Some years ago, I came across this quote on mature leadership and wrote it down as a reminder of what excellent leadership looks like: “Remember, you’re the conductor — not the virtuoso.”All of us are doers, managers and leaders, depending on the situation,

  • A great team is built on diversity

    WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Oh -- When I became a supervisor, I had this preconceived idea that once I stepped into my position, a “How to be a great supervisor” handbook would magically fall in my lap and offer everything I needed to know to successfully lead my team.Aren’t supervisors