Opportunity Lies Beneath

During the times of searching for our leadership identity, we can find ourselves hungry to overcome new challenges. Sadly, in this journey we are not always placed with the perfect leaders or managers that will challenge us with new obstacles. Those that seek to grow and explore new methods to influence others can easily find themselves more frustrated with the ones above rather than the ones below. Growth is not a one-man exploration. Growth takes being receptive to the feedback of others which may lead you to opportunities that could be challenging or unknown. But at times, many aspiring leaders, can find themselves at a standstill; not being fed their daily dose of mentorship or being challenged to be better than they were the day prior.

In 2015 I found myself frustrated as a young, yet seasoned Staff Sergeant. I was stationed at Ramstein Air Base, in Germany, living an incredible life exploring Europe, and embracing a new culture. Though at work I was devoted to my team and my Airmen, I was angry. I resented my immediate leadership and I was frustrated with always arriving to work craving more challenges and responsibility. The mid-level leadership in my section were seasoned Technical Sergeants that were present only when they needed to be. Our section lacked a motivational leader and the daily mentorship that we needed and deserved. I found myself changing each week, growing more resentment because I felt that I had the energy and potential to conquer more challenges, but my immediate leadership did not care for the art of mentorship.

I knew I needed to make a statement--but instead of placing blame, I wanted to inspire my leadership. Obviously, this method is very unorthodox, but at times we must be aware that there are young incredible minds below that we can always learn from. There, below my frustration was an opportunity to teach and educate. The writer T.F. Hodge once wrote, “To conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles”. I had the opportunity to influence others and creatively build a concept that was a shared vision of what a Staff Sergeant and Technical Sergeant should epitomize. Over weeks of sitting with many incredible Senior Noncommissioned Officers outside of my section and commanders from other squadrons, we developed the “Airpower Leadership Concept”. A concept that spoke on virtues and values that mid-level experts can carry which can lead to huge team milestones and pathways of success.

My intent was clear and obvious. I wanted to provide a leadership concept that inspired others and motivated the masses on topics of potential, team building, confrontation management, and everyday growth. But underneath, my secondary intent was also tactics. I wanted my immediate leadership to see this concept and wake up. I wanted them to see they had the tools to mentor our team and lead us to new horizons, but it was time to take advantage of each day. It was time for them to earn their stripes. It was time to actually be the leader of the flights.

Creativity can be easily one of the most powerful tools we can employ. Our creativity can lead us to partnering with those around us, innovating programs, or topics that have never been discussed, and even achieving breakthroughs of problems that have existed for years. But sometimes creativity isn’t always found by being surrounded by motivated friends. Sometimes, opportunity lies beneath the moments of anger. Those times when we are frustrated with our teams, our subordinates, or even our leadership…we have a moment to make change. We have an opportunity to not repeat the cycle. We have the chance to influence others.

The Airpower Leadership Concept, mentioned earlier, can be captured in the acronym A.I.R.P.O.W.E.R.

A - Attitude

I - Inspiration

R - Real Communication

P - Proactiveness

O - Ownership

W - Willpower

E - Established Vision

R - Resiliency

Over 5 years later, this lesson and concept has been taught to over 3,000 Airmen across Germany, parts of Africa, and Alaska. I had no idea at the beginning of my frustration that my creativity would influence others who were hungry to grow and be the best leaders they could be. Looking back, I needed to go through that period of frustration. I needed to endure those moments of anger and wanting more from my leadership. The late Chadwick Boseman once said, “the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose”. For the many that may feel you are in a plateau of growth. Every day is an opportunity to use your creativity to make an influential change or improve your organization’s culture. Opportunity is always there, the question is…are you brave enough to move forward and allow your frustrations to become your passions?

Editor’s Note: MSgt Calin Cronin is the currently the Command Chief’s Executive Assistant at the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. He is a 13-year Air Force member that originally began his career in law enforcement as a Security Forces member. He is the Founder of The Brave Badge Initiative suicide prevention platform and a co-host of the leadership podcast, Unfiltered Leadership.