Promotions

I’ve noticed that there have been a few promotions, especially in my beloved Air Force, publicized all over social media in the past couple of weeks. Those announcements remind me of a couple of stories. One is good, the other, not so much.

 

I was a naïve Staff Sergeant just doing my job. But I was a hard worker, so I deserved to get promoted. And I got promoted, although I almost didn’t know it. Here’s what happened. This happened while we were stationed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Deb and I were at the park in the housing compound where we lived. I was assigned to the 13^th Air Force Band. For some reason, ironically, I hadn’t gone on this particular tour. The band had just returned home and I happened to see the band’s Senor Master Sergeant, since he lived in our housing area. After the usual salutations, he said to me, “By the way, congratulations!” “Congratulations? On what?” I asked. “On your promotion,” he replied. “What promotion?” I asked, confused. “To Technical Sergeant. Didn’t anyone tell you?” he asked. Obviously, the answer was no. No one had told me. Deb and I should have been jumping for joy, I suppose, since it was good news. We were more confused than elated, though. That was not exactly the best way to learn about a promotion.

           

You may have to do some unpleasant things in your duty as a leader—too many of them. One of the few good things you’ll do is promote your followers. That should be a momentous event. When your followers get promoted, find them—no matter where they are—and present them their new stripes, their certificate, their trophy, however you promote your folks. If they have family and you can include them, do it! Promotion is the acknowledgement of value. We all want to be valued. The small things you do every day to express how you value your followers are incredibly powerful. But a promotion is the institution’s formal way of expressing its respect and trust. It should be an unforgettable event—a positive, unforgettable event. We all remember every one of our promotions. And we remember who our boss was at the time.  

           

Here's another story, but this one is about how to ensure people are respected and valued even when you don’t know them. Chief Master Sergeant (deceased) Leigh Steiger was the First Sergeant for the United States Air Force Band when I met him. He was a truly great man. I was a Master Sergeant. I was TDY to his unit the day that the promotion list for selection to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant was released. I’d been called by my Chief to tell me that I’d been selected. I was grateful for that. As I walked into the Air Force Band’s building, I found Chief Steiger in his office. Since we’d never met before, I introduced myself and we started chatting. All of a sudden there was a huge commotion right outside his door that led into a large conference room. As we both went out to see what was going on, we realized that the commander and a bunch of other folks were out in the big room celebrating. He’d just announced who had been selected for promotion. There was a lot a cheering going on. Once we applauded and hooped and hollered for the selectees, Chief and I went back into his office. In as humble a way as I could muster, I told the Chief that I, too, had been selected. He beamed, got out from behind his desk, and shook my hand as he congratulated me. He then took me out to the big room where there were still people partying and asked them to quiet down, then proceeded to tell the group, who didn’t know who I was, but it really didn’t matter, that I had been selected, too. They all applauded and congratulated me. Chief didn’t have to do that. His congratulations would have been enough. But he valued me, whoever I was, as well as the importance of the occasion, enough to make it public. I’ll never forget that day, how I felt, nor My Brother Chief, Leigh Steiger. Here’s a toast….

 

Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." That’s the truth! If you have the opportunity to promote someone, do so with as much respect and joy as you can. They, and even you, will remember that moment forever. And it may endear those followers to you and your common purpose. For all who have be promoted, recently and in the past, a BIG congratulations to you! I call that HEIRPOWER!

 

Until next time,

 

Be GREAT!

 

You ARE!

 

HEIRPOWER!

 

bob vásquez!