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Reflection: A key tool in your tool box

  • Published
  • By Maj. Richard Fletcher
  • 305th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  If you have taken a moment to read the numerous Warrior Spirit articles on leadership, it should be obvious to you that leadership is not a passive activity. Rather, exercising proper leadership requires action. Like the other leadership tools in our tool box, reflection requires action. Though not often recognized as a leadership tool, leaders who effectively apply reflection will discover the profound impact it can have on their organization.

Active reflection affords an organization an opportunity to study and analyze. Particularly in a learning organization, reflection helps unit leadership identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) to meeting mission commitments. Though not all inclusive, the SWOT analysis includes a review of tactics, techniques and procedures as well as resource utilization and command, control and communication avenues. Armed with the analysis, it is incumbent upon leaders to vector their units appropriately. Reflection does not mean concentrated focus on the negative. It includes accentuating the positive and sharing with other units to make the whole unit better. Then step forward and celebrate the success.

Celebrating the successes of the organization underpins the right to brag about triumphant events. Reflecting on the accomplishments of the unit gives our Airmen cause to stand tall and walk proudly. The ways and means of celebration are varied, but the point is to celebrate the events and give your Airmen a reason to brag about themselves to other Airmen, family and friends. Additionally, what's keeping you from telling the rest of the base what your unit accomplished? It is no secret the Air Force readily admits the struggle with communicating its commitment to the war effort. Air Force Week events thrust the Air Force capabilities, resources and accomplishments into the greater Philadelphia area with the intent to brag and celebrate. In their own small way, unit leaders can help by recognizing the accomplishments of the unit.

Ultimately, reflection's greatest impact is on the unit's morale. Unquestionably, we experience ups and downs in our work centers. Through the effective use of reflection, members of the unit will understand one thing: They have ownership in the mission and in the unit. First, they recognize the value of their actions and the impact they have on the present and future successes of the organization. Second, it is no secret to them who is responsible for making the mission happen. Reinforcing these points ties our Airmen to the unit and the mission. In doing so, those ups are accentuated while those downs are curbed. Units with morale deficiencies should consider incorporating reflection into unit programs.

There are many tools available in our leadership tool box. Some are used to discipline and some are used to communicate. All should be used to inspire and motivate our Airmen to succeed. I hope you use the reflection tool in your tool box often. I think you will find it makes your Airmen and your unit better.