lessonslearned
Fear Factor
A simple request provokes apprehension and dread
in a young lieutenant when a new colonel fails to
communicate his intentions clearly.
S
hortly after being promoted “No, sir. All I got was a call from my su-
to O6, and during my fi rst week as pervisor late yesterday afternoon inform-
vice commander of an Air Force ing me that I was to be in your offi ce fi rst
wing, I noticed on the planning schedule thing this morning.”
the annual picnic, with its accompanying I immediately realized what had hap-
traditional softball game between offi cers pened. My request had unfolded like the
and senior enlisted personnel. It was com- children’s game of telephone, losing clar-
ing up the following week. Having played ity as it passed down the chain of com-
some ball in my younger days, I was eager mand until my intent was obscured.
to join the game. I asked my executive of- Come to fi nd out, this poor lieutenant
fi cer to have whoever was in charge of the had not eaten — had hardly slept — the
offi cer team drop by my offi ce the follow- night before from worry. In further con-
ing day, to see if I might be able to play. versation with the lieutenant, he admit-
When I arrived at work the next morn- ted he feverishly kept playing over in his
ing, I walked past a very nervous looking mind all night long what in the world
second lieutenant in full Class A dress uni- he might have done (or not done) to get
form. He snapped to attention as I passed called on the carpet in front of the new
Tell Your Story
by. Once I arrived at my desk, I buzzed the vice commander.
■ Shar Submit ye your servicour lessons e-
exec and inquired as to who this nervous Needless to say, the lieutenant left my
rleelatarned bed advy e-mail tentures (oor
lieutenant was. I was told he was the one offi ce in a much better frame of mind than
mishapsprofserie) bs@moaa.y e-mail torg o
organizing the softball game and had been when he arrived, and knowing that he encor bory mail te@moaa.o MOorAA g, or
waiting for me all morning. now had a backup shortstop for the game.
mail them tProfessional Serieo Encors, 201 e Edi-
I attempted to ease the lieutenant’s I learned two valuable lessons from
tN. Wor, 201 N. Washington St., Al-ashington
St., Aleexandria, Vxandria, VA 22314. All A 22314.
nerves and asked him to come in. The lieu- this: First, when in a command position
All submissubmissions will be csions will be on-
tenant dutifully followed me to my offi ce, (as I was then for the fi rst time), be very
csideronsidered fed for publicor publication. ation.
and I invited him to sit down. He snapped careful how you state your wishes or guid-
Comment on the latest
to attention once more and saluted. ance. Somewhere along the line it might lesson or share your
I again asked him to sit down, thanked well get misinterpreted. Second, strive to
own at
www.moaa.org/
him for coming by, and said that while I ap- be the kind of leader who does not instill a
lessonslearned.
preciated his early arrival, it really wasn’t great fear into younger members of the or-
necessary, because I only wanted to see if ganization just because you want to speak
he needed another player for the team. to them about something — especially if
I could easily discern the immedi- it’s only a picnic softball game! MO
ate, obvious relief that came over him.
Though I was fairly sure of the answer, I
— Tom Vincent is a retired Air Force colonel.
asked him if he had known I only wanted
He lives in St. George, Utah. For submission in-
to talk about the softball game. He said, formation, see page 20.
108 MILITARY OFFICER SEPTEMBER 2009 IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
SSept_lessons.indd Sec2:
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