Commentary: Good leadership is key to success Published Nov. 6, 2008 By Lt. Col. Kevin Daul 709th Nuclear Systems Squadron commander KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- Leadership at all levels is critical to successful operations throughout the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. There are numerous books and articles that describe leadership and leadership qualities, and at the heart of all of these are people. A successful leader must be able to motivate and influence people to achieve an organization's objectives and to perform at a higher level as a team than they could as individuals. There is no perfect leadership style that works for everyone in all situations, so be flexible and always be yourself. Understanding leadership is much more an art than a science and there isn't a single right way to accomplish something. Some of the key attributes to being a successful leader are understanding people, flexibility, communication and follow through. People - You must understand what motivates the people you work with and at the same time acknowledge what motivates you. This is one of the most important parts of being an effective leader. What are their goals and aspirations? What needs do they have? What skills, capabilities and attributes do they posses to help accomplish the mission? Become a good listener and really get to know the people around you. As a leader you must align your organization's capabilities and motivations with your mission. Flexibility - A leader must be flexible. Recall that leadership is more art than science and is personal. There is no blueprint for success, but there are things to consider as you mature and grow. Be yourself and your leadership style will follow. Sometimes you must be more involved and at other times you must "sit back and watch." Often the situation or environment will dictate what leadership style works best, so try to think with your head and listen to your heart, something that is not always easy. Communication - Clearly communicate what your standards, expectations and goals are so that they are easily understood by everyone around you. Make sure to keep in touch with the people on your team. Let them know about yourself and at the same time listen and get to know them. Insist on honest and open feedback from supervisors, peers and subordinates. Know how you fit in and why your contributions are important to the mission. If it's not important then why do it? People should be able to clearly understand how their job ties in with the goals and vision of the organization and why it's important. Important messages should be repeated over and over again. Follow Through - Make things happen and produce. Be positive, optimistic and have a "can do" attitude. Don't be the type of person who just talks about things, be someone who finalizes and accomplishes things. You must be able to take a good idea or concept and see it through to fruition. When a major task is completed, take time to celebrate. Leadership is important at all levels, whether you supervise hundreds or yourself. It is about people and how we interact with one another. Successful leaders recognize the importance of the people they work with, are willing to adapt and grow, communicate clearly and make things happen.