fromthepresident
Sharing Wisdom
When different generations listen to each other, everyone
benefi ts. Coming soon, Military Offi cer will allow members
to share lessons learned from their military mentors.
L
eaders here at MOAA be- A good mentor must lis-
lieve strongly that mentoring ten well to provide the right
— teaching and coaching — is words to help someone learn.
a vital part of leadership. The It’s not easy, because for many
association emphasizes the our fi rst impulse is to get our
mentoring process with its staff and its ideas out rather than listen
members to help build better personal to what others have to say. In
relationships and a better organization. the process, we often accept
I was speaking recently with Tom stereotypes — young/old,
Gibson, one of MOAA’s member service male/female, military/civilian.
representatives (MSRs), about listening When we do that, we’re not
and communication. Gibson said he and his mentoring, and therefore not
fellow MSRs learn a lot from speaking with providing the best possible
MOAA’s more senior members. Essentially, leadership example.
they are mentored by our members. MOAA is committed to
Gibson’s comments reminded me of fi nding new ways to improve
the often-overlooked truth that different association members’ lives
generations must make an effort to com- through better communica-
municate with one another. I call that kind tion and engagement. We soon will debut a
of communication mentoring, because each member-written “lessons learned” column
group learns from the other as they build a in Military Offi cer in which members can
better understanding. Some might call it en- share their insight and experiences. This is
gagement. Whatever you call it, it’s a part of a form of organizational mentorship that
leadership at both ends of the age spectrum. will help bridge communication barriers —
We all remember someone in our mili- and help all of us as lifelong learners.
tary careers who taught us lessons we will No organization outside our currently
never forget. Many of us followed their ex- serving military has the depth and breadth
ample when we became leaders ourselves. of leadership that MOAA has among its
Why not continue to mentor in our daily members and chapters. We owe it to our-
lives and in MOAA chapters? selves to be the best possible leaders by
mentoring others and listening closely to
OFFER YOUR INSIGHT TO MOAA
those of all ages and experience levels.
Share your life lessons with MOAA members.
Submit true, personal vignettes (no more than
450 words) via e-mail to
profseries@moaa.org
or by mail to MOAA Professional Series, 201 N.
Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314-2539.
— Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., USN-Ret.
1 2 M I L I T A R Y O F F I C E R A P R I L 2 0 0 9 PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT
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