The best leaders put service to others before service to themselves

By Col. John Quinn

319th Air Refueling Wing vice commander

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. — Being a military member is all about service. Members of the military are not “employed” by the nation; they “serve” our nation.

Unlike the civilian community, in discussing careers and experiences in the military, we ask how long one has served, not how long a person has been employed or worked for the military. This is emphasized in the Air Force core value of service before self.

As you may have heard, the theme for 2009 at Grand Forks is second-mile leadership. This concept comes from an old Roman tradition of citizens being required to carry a Roman soldier’s pack, weighing up to 100 pounds, one mile. Citizens would sometimes put a stake at the one mile mark designating the limits of their obligations to the Roman solider. Certain citizens, who had the ability and willingness to serve, would carry the heavy pack an additional mile. This extra effort, to carry the load a second mile, to do something additional, to serve society, is where we get the term “second-mile leadership.” When others are put ahead of ourselves, we are serving them, the Air Force and our nation.

Leadership skills are developed through service to one’s nation and community. In his inauguration address, President Barack Obama said, “The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.” In service to our nation and community, we ensure President Obama’s vision will come to fruition.

Service to others

As a recent arrival to Grand Forks Air Force Base, I have been impressed with the willingness of Airmen to selflessly serve and inspire others. The men and women of the 319th Air Refueling Wing demonstrate their service to the United States and the Air Force through accomplishing the mission both at home and deployed, and also through their daily interactions with the Grand Forks community. I had the pleasure of speaking for a few minutes at University of North Dakota’s Martin Luther King Awards Luncheon in January 2009. Numerous people — I would call them all second-mile leaders — were recognized. Included among them were several Grand Forks AFB teammates. Each of winners had taken extra time to serve the local community to improve life for all.

The best leaders put service to others before service to themselves. They check their own egos at the door and focus on what is best for our people, organization and the nation. Authentic leaders’ proper aim is to motivate people to do what is best for the greater good, not to serve only their own interests. In other words, it is selflessness, not selfishness, which defines a leader.

Service takes many forms and all members of our community serve in various manners. It includes serving the nation and our Air Force, but it also includes many simple, selfless acts performed every day.

Selflessness

To illustrate, my family and I were driving in a four-car caravan to Grand Forks AFB in early January. Just south of Grand Forks, one of the vehicles hit black ice and ended up off the road in about 3 feet of snow. My two sons and I could not get the vehicle back on the road. A passerby assisted us, but to no avail. He then retrieved a snow blower from his truck and promptly snow blew a “road” for us. In a few minutes, we were back on the highway. This gentleman did not hesitate; he placed our needs ahead of his own. This was my introduction to the Grand Forks community and Air Force Base — talk about impressed! I see this selfless spirit everywhere in our community.

Even simple acts of selfless service make a lasting impression on everyone in the organization and engender a spirit of willingness. By removing barriers to the mission, by listening to and respecting opinions of subordinates, and by serving selflessly themselves, leaders will be amazed at subordinate’s ingenuity and the unparalleled accomplishments they can achieve. We “serve” while in the military and it is incumbent upon all of us to go the extra mile to serve our neighbors, our communities and our nation.

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