Service to Country

My last set of interviews were as eye opening and surprising as any, five US military offices posted in Heidelberg, Germany. I met with two Lt. Colonels, a Major, a Colonel and a Sargent First Class-two woman and three men. Major John Nguyen was my first, and a real surprise when I found out that he and his family had immigrated from Vietnam at the end of the war. Long story short, he enlisted in the US Army to pay back the gift he felt the US had given his family and him--nothing less than freedom.

My final interview was with a very talented leader named Lt. Colonel Jennifer Humphries who is in charge of the Behavioral Health Unit at the US Military Medical Center in Heidelberg and a social worker by training. Service for both of these individuals meant devotion to country, preservation of our freedom and more immediately the folks they served every day as leaders.

Across the five interviews, I picked up very consistent messaging about servant leadership in the military: 1. Dignity and Respect: Every one deserves it and leaders must model it 2. Investment in leadership development from the beginning: You never know when the formal leader will be missing in action, so everyone must be trained and feel prepared to step in and lead 3. Letting go of ego: The minute it's about you, is the instant you put someone else in harms way 4. Two way trust: Trust is only as strong as the line up and down-hesitation due to lack of trust is not sustainable 5. Providing "top cover": If you want people to take risks, they must know that they are in a safe environment to due so and that their leader has their back. 6. Clear goals, defined boundaries and freedom to move within creates an environment for innovation 7. Continuous feedback and learning: It doesn't matter what your rank, mistakes are learning opportunities immediately and onward. I'm so very grateful for the generosity of time and talent provided and have gained a deepened respect for our Armed Forces and the quality of people leading our national defense and security.