A Naval Officer’s SOUND BITES OF LIFE

every few years, i reread this - doing so servers me well...

A Naval Officer’s SOUND BITES OF LIFE

Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division shares his views and lessons learnedBy Rear Admiral Joseph W. Dyer, USN

[Written July 1999]

Someone once said, "Hindsight is the only true vision." Those of us who have been around the TEAM for awhile can see some truth and wisdom in this saying.

Several years ago, Mr. Robert Fulghum wrote a book entitled All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten in which he shared his thoughts on some of life's basic truths in a witty but insightful way. And there is also a lot of wisdom in what Mr. Fulghum says - share everything, play fair, don't take things that aren't yours and live a balanced life.

As leaders, we must have vision and to develop vision, we must think ahead. But for just a few moments, I'd like to think back over the years of relationships I've enjoyed with some people I really admire. This retrospective view causes me to realize that many of these traits I've learned from others are the stars by which I now navigate into the future. Over the years, I have come to realize that knowing what to do is a country mile short of knowing how to do it and so I've come to cherish the sound bites of life that others have provided me either in words or deeds. Let me share some with you. Wherever possible, I've also shown the name of the person who either taught or reaffirmed these things.

Fun: If you are to be successful, you have to have fun at what you're doing. Or, put another way, "If you aren't having fun, are you on the right path?" CAPT Lyn Whitmer, USN

A Trip: Life is a journey and not a destination. RADM Rick Phillips, USN, Ret.

Bloom: Bloom where you are planted, but if it's in the shade, migrate! CAPT Don Bradbury, USN, Ret.

Attitude and Optimism: Both are force multipliers for us and the folks around us. CAPT D. J. Venlet, USN

Body Language: Learn this language that all people speak. There are some great books on this subject! CAPT Bob Boyd, USN

Don't Always Push Harder: Ask yourself, "Why is there opposition and why are they pushing back?" Try to figure out how to reduce resistance to what you are trying to accomplish. Bob Johnson

Respect Secretaries: They can help you a lot. They can get you in, help you out and save you with a "heads up." LT Don Simmons, USN

Technical Credibility: There is NOTHING more important – it establishes your long-term trend and success in our business. Ever notice how you never feel quite the same about an auto-pilot once it lets you down even once? VADM Joe Wilkinson, USN, Ret.

Expertise: It is not enough just to be a generalist your entire career. To be a highly respected AED/AMD (or just about anything else!), you must have knowledge that establishes your personal "bonafides." Darrell Maxwell

Money: Money is the hydraulic fluid of our business. If you understand the money, you understand the program, the contract, etc. Pam O'Dell

Ideas: The key is to have a lot of them - you can always throw the bad ones away. Dr. L. Pauling

Continuing Education: Work at acquiring knowledge. Books on tape are a great way to maximize your learning. Jack Latimer

Influence: Extend your influence beyond your station. Build a contact list and keep it warm. Dr. Joe Hoeg

Marbles: Learn to trade 'em as well as how to play 'em. Remember, if you try to get them all, you won't have anyone to play with! Mary Watts

Empathy: Respect that most folks want to do the right thing. Take time to look at issues from the perspective of others. Melda Dyer

Chill Out a Little: Like crying "Wolf," you can't go "high order" about everything. If you stay a little bit reserved, you will never lose your important messages. Margaret Beavan

Coach: Don't be afraid to help others improve their game. If you had a hitter that could improve her batting average from 200 to 250 by changing her grip a little, you'd tell her, wouldn't you? VADM John Lockard, USN

Seek Coaching: After the air combat Engagement (dog fight), after the flight test, or after the program review, ask those you respect how you could have done it better. CAPT George Hill, USN.

Integrate Resources: Find joy in linking people that can help one another. Bob Prine

Juggle: Learn to keep a lot of plates rotating but surround yourself with "greyheads" who will help you catch the food that you drop off those plates. RADM (Sel) Gib Godwin, USN

Power behind the Scenes: Appreciate that the folks that make things happen and get things done are often not the ones standing by the viewgraph machine. CAPT Jim Keen,

USN, Ret.

Drain the Swamps: Juggling isn't enough. The power of process development is that it makes things better, not just today but tomorrow also. Rick Martin

Play Golf: Golf is networking at its best and, besides, the surroundings are always nice. RADM (Sel) Bert Johnston, USN

Learn to BOP: When faced with an important decision, think about the Best (most probable) estimate of outcome; look at an Optimistic end; and also think pessimistically about risks and down-sides. Once you BOP, you understand your maneuvering room. Dave Janiec

Personal Space: Find some! Your mind will always clear when it's not crowded. Denny Distler

Listen to Lawyers: Not just on legal matters. They have the skill to look at problems from many sides. They know how to strip away bias and they write better than most of us. Mary Kay Fanneralla

Seek Diversity: Teaming with folks from different backgrounds, different places, with different education and religions increase an IPT's bandwidth and effectiveness. Jesse McCurdy

Passion: It's what it takes to get the ball across the goal line. J.J. Dicks

Never Write a Mean-Spirited E-Mail: It gets around and lives forever. Susan Keen

Reach the Fleet: Remember, in the acquisition business we must work hard at keeping our ties close to the Fleet. It's the key to final customer satisfaction. CAPT Phil Pritulsky, USN

Personal Finance: Dedicate time to managing your own money, especially early in your career. This will free your mind to focus on more important things. Rene Held

Avoid Comfortable Jobs: If you really want to have a shot at the top, seek jobs that make you stretch and grow. Seek opportunities to have your performance measured vis-à-vis your peers. Comfort isn't necessarily a bad tradeoff but you must realize that you may give up shots at grabbing the brass ring. RADM Dick Friichtenicht, USN, Ret.

Trust your Instincts: You know more than you realize. CAPT Rob Freedman, USN, Ret.

Career Roadmap: Build one!!! You can change it and expand it, but without it, you cannot tell where you are now and where you're trying to go. RADM Jack Chenevey, USN

Respect Data: Both the micro and macro. Know the numbers but avoid burying your head in the cockpit.  You must keep looking outside to keep track of the goods and of others. CAPT Jeff Wieringa, USN

Read Wisely: Consider the Wall Street Journal, Atlantic Monthly, and Foreign Service Review. Spend time reading in areas where you know little and can grow by knowing more. Diversify yourself! Mel Luter

Communicate!: The further you are from where decisions are being made, the harder you have to work at it.  Dennis West

Tenacity Counts: Determination and sheer will can change cultures and organizations. VADM Bill Bowes, USN, Ret.

 Flight Safety: Not even considering the sanctity of life, you can make a lot of bad acquisition decisions and still not lose as much as when you drop one aircraft. The first flight test aircraft are, ounce-for-ounce, more valuable than gold. Always consider "what if?" And always leave yourself a way out when going into the air. VADM Jack Readdy, USN, Ret.

Dogs that Don't Bark: Listen to is not said - it is often more important. Dr. Al Somoroff

Thank People: A lot of people that are working their hearts out for you want and need feedback on the good things they're doing. It's like getting a fix during dead-reckoning navigation it helps folks stay confidently on course. (Good on ya!") AIRCOM Hans Roser, RAAF, Ret.

 Know What's Important—And What's Not: Put your time and energy into what is important. As AIR-00 says, "It is all about effecting outcomes."

Elevator Rides: If you learn how to get your point across in the time it takes for an elevator ride, senior leaders will always be glad to see you. Scott O'Neil

Give Away Your Good Ideas: They will multiply and come back to you.  Tom Lawrence

Search Web and Share Bookmarks: They unlock the global library. A great one: https://www.ask.com/. CDR Craig Luigart, USN, Ret.

I have learned there is a strong correlation between many of these traits and the ability to manage and lead large, complex undertakings. Good leaders are not just born that way - they become good leaders because they have learned to listen to the sound bites of life.