Time to Pay It Forward
Something strange has happened in my organization over the last few months. My organization has four O5 leadership positions and all 4 are filled with women. Then a woman just became my boss's boss, the Director. Say What?! Never in my 17 years in the AF have I been in an organization with this many female leaders.
For me, the icing on the cake is that the 4 AF women are all married and have children. It is refreshing to look around and see other women soaring and succeeding. Some may say that it does not matter to see living examples, but I know that seeing these other women has encouraged me. I may not be close friends with each of them, but I know some of their struggles.
In college, if there was a vote, I would have won most likely to separate after 4 years. Yet, 17 years later, I am the last one still on active duty. Oh, I should not be the remaining one. I almost separated at least two times, but I am still here. Grateful. Happy. Two awesome Lt Cols have saved me from leaving. Both of these gentleman took me in and took the time to talk to me. They got to know me and saw things in me that I did not see in myself. They pushed me and encouraged me to do more, be better, and soar higher.
Those two Lt Cols reached me at critical points in my career and helped me become the person that I am today. I am forever appreciative of their thoughtfulness, genuine concern, and their time. I am not sure what I would be doing or where I would be if they had not taken an interest in me.
In my same office, two female Capt's and 1 male Capt are separating from the AF this year. I wonder if someone reached out to them. If someone connected with them and told them that they could do it.
Thinking about these Captains made me realize that I am a LtCol and the responsibility falls on me now. I am now those two LtCols who helped me. It is my time to pay it forward. I must reach out and connect with the Lts, Capts, and Majs who are wondering if they can do it or wondering how to do it. The AF may not be for everyone, but I suspect it is for more people than it is not. If they are like me, then they need someone to believe in them. They need someone to connect with. They need an example.
I do not know my future, but with the time remaining in my current assignment, I vow to reach as many people, male and female, and genuinely listen to them. It is time for me to get out of my comfort zone again. Time for me to leave my office or invite people in. I will do my best to follow the examples before me and to help others soar as far and as high as they desire.
I invite everyone to reach a hand out to someone else and help them get where you are or where they want to be.
For me, the icing on the cake is that the 4 AF women are all married and have children. It is refreshing to look around and see other women soaring and succeeding. Some may say that it does not matter to see living examples, but I know that seeing these other women has encouraged me. I may not be close friends with each of them, but I know some of their struggles.
In college, if there was a vote, I would have won most likely to separate after 4 years. Yet, 17 years later, I am the last one still on active duty. Oh, I should not be the remaining one. I almost separated at least two times, but I am still here. Grateful. Happy. Two awesome Lt Cols have saved me from leaving. Both of these gentleman took me in and took the time to talk to me. They got to know me and saw things in me that I did not see in myself. They pushed me and encouraged me to do more, be better, and soar higher.
Those two Lt Cols reached me at critical points in my career and helped me become the person that I am today. I am forever appreciative of their thoughtfulness, genuine concern, and their time. I am not sure what I would be doing or where I would be if they had not taken an interest in me.
In my same office, two female Capt's and 1 male Capt are separating from the AF this year. I wonder if someone reached out to them. If someone connected with them and told them that they could do it.
Thinking about these Captains made me realize that I am a LtCol and the responsibility falls on me now. I am now those two LtCols who helped me. It is my time to pay it forward. I must reach out and connect with the Lts, Capts, and Majs who are wondering if they can do it or wondering how to do it. The AF may not be for everyone, but I suspect it is for more people than it is not. If they are like me, then they need someone to believe in them. They need someone to connect with. They need an example.
I do not know my future, but with the time remaining in my current assignment, I vow to reach as many people, male and female, and genuinely listen to them. It is time for me to get out of my comfort zone again. Time for me to leave my office or invite people in. I will do my best to follow the examples before me and to help others soar as far and as high as they desire.
I invite everyone to reach a hand out to someone else and help them get where you are or where they want to be.