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An equation for success: "Aptitude plus attitude equals altitude"
Posted 8/6/2009 Updated 8/6/2009
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Commentary by Col. John Lipinski
615th Contingency Response Wing commander
8/6/2009 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Aptitude and attitude are both essential attributes for success: aptitude and attitude will ultimately determine your altitude. It's a notion I see proven again and again by the members in my organizations and at duty stations throughout our Air Force. A proper focus coupled with an ever-expanding knowledge of a specific career field is what gives our Airmen the edge in maintaining the most professional military force in the world today.
Aptitude is critical to safely perform tasks that lead to mission success.
Initial training, learning new skills, and maintaining proficiency in your duties is in line with the Air Force "back to basics" approach, but without the right mindset, you cannot effectively employ your talents. Your attitude can energize or demoralize the people around you. Attitudes are extremely contagious. Ask yourself if your attitude is worth catching.
Just as critical as ensuring the force is properly trained and equipped, it is important for leaders to help those around them cultivate a positive attitude. Just as we provide on-the-job training to help Airmen develop their professional skills, we must also be prepared to behave as attitude role models. Attitude is something that only the individual controls, and a positive attitude is the characteristic of an effective leader, despite the challenge or situation. It is a learnable skill just like any technical proficiency.
Aviators refer to an attitude indicator to determine the position of the aircraft in relation to the horizon. The attitude determines whether the aircraft is vectored to climb or descend. With proper internal guidance, you can effectively motivate yourself to focus your talents and skills and propel yourself forward toward your goals. The flight path vector does not aim toward excuses but fixes steadily on the projected destination.
We all serve with Airmen who demonstrate synchronized and balanced aptitude and attitude. They are the "can-do," "go-to" people in our organizations.
Excellence in all we do is a foundation of our core values. In line with this value, we consistently train to expand on the skill-sets necessary to perform our missions. Why not work on developing our attitudes, as well?
Continue to learn and approach each situation with a positive attitude, and you will soon find yourself in an unrestricted climb! |
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