Commentary: UP

  • Published
  • By Col. Clifton Perry
  • 18th Wing Chaplain commander
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Last week my children and I watched Disney-Pixar's latest hit Up. The animated comedy adventure follows the exploits of an old man named Carl Fredricksen who ties balloons to his house and flies away. Without totally spoiling the movie, let me simply say "go see it!" No matter your age, married or single, with or without children; you will leave laughing, thinking, and smiling. 

So what does a Disney movie have to do with leadership? Let me tell you. Mr. Fredricksen's greatest struggle in life is fulfilling his childhood dream of going on a great adventure. Like the well-known John Lennon line "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." 

Carl learned almost too late, that life is a great adventure. So too it is with leadership. Leadership is a great adventure and leadership is what happens when you are busy making plans to lead. So while you are busy dreaming about the next rank or duty title, assignment or command; you are demonstrating leadership. That leadership could be good or bad. 

Whether you are the designated driver or the drunk, enrolled in college courses or wasting away in front of the television, saluting the flag at retreat or running inside to avoid it; the world is watching. You don't just wake up one day and find yourself a leader. 

You've been displaying some type or level of leadership all your life. Today you are known either for your attention to detail or lack thereof. Do co-workers see you as conscientious or lackadaisical when it comes to your daily duties? Your actions determine the quality of your leadership. What type of leadership do others see in you? 

The movie poster for Up shows the picture of the Fredricksen's house being lifted by thousands of helium filled balloons. Great leadership lifts you up! Hot-air jokes aside, a leader's voice can be inspiring or demoralizing. The best leaders I've met through the years have a way fo lifting you up even when they have corrected you. A "job well done" or "I know you can do better" can lift you to a higher level of performance. 

When was the last time you helped lift up another Airman? Great leaders are helping others up all the time. 

Mr. Fredricksen learned that it's never too late to change. The same goes for your leadership performance. If after a self-inspection you see that you are lacking, the worst thing you can do is to sit back and do nothing. Don't make excuses. If you know you have areas to improve in step out, take control, assume responsibility, and lead. 

If you are not the best you could be, ask yourself "why not?" Are you aspiring to mediocrity? I doubt it, so then strive for excellence. Leadership is an adventure. Are you Up for it?