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Are you in the arena?

  • Published
  • By Col. Robert Hopkins, Jr.
  • 451st Expeditionary Maintenance Group
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

The Man in the Arena is a speech by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. It was given at the Sorbonne in Paris, France, on April 23, 1910.

Leadership from the front is a lonely place. There are always critics pointing out the flaws in the leader's style, delivery, mannerisms, decisions or mood. However, how many of those critics want to jump in the arena and get "marred by dust, sweat, and blood?" How many of them are willing to jump out in front and try to do a better job? Or do they say "I could have done a better job, if....?"

Leadership is paramount to every successful organization. Leadership styles come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. There is no one leadership style to fit all organizations or events. There are leaders who step up to the plate when there are crises. There are leaders who stand out to injustice. There are leaders who set men free. There are leaders who are visionary. There are informal leaders. With all these leadership styles, what sets them apart from others?

Leaders have a sense of purpose. They have vision. They have failed at something. They are trying to make something right in their lives. Whatever the "thing" they are focused on, they have figured it out through trial and error to lead with passion, enthusiasm and great devotion.

During your time in the Air Force, what is your purpose for leading? Everyone can be a leader at any level. Who are you serving? Do you lead with passion? Do want to spend yourself in a worthy cause? Sure, this place is tough; however, there are tougher places out there where Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors are sweating, filthy and bloody in the encounters they are dealing with every day in Afghanistan, Iraq and the rest of the world.

How are you helping in this worthy cause? What is your role? Are you a critic because you are not comfortable with the living or working arrangement and environment? Challenge yourself to the betterment of your squadron, group, wing, and yes, the Air Force. If you succeed, enjoy the fruits of your labor. If you fail, know you tried your best. Know there are others who did not want to step up to the plate and have failed before they even tried.

To lead is to serve others; to serve others before your own interests. One of our Air Force core values is service before self. To understand this value, one must understand their value system. Putting service before self is not seeking the reward, applause, recognition or pat on the back for a job well done. Service is an unselfish act focused on making things better when no one is watching. Understanding service before self will make you a better leader. Why? You have purpose. You are focused on doing what is right and justified.

Airmen, get "In the Arena." Get dusty! Get Sweaty? Get involved! Get out there and lead from the front! You are a warrior! Make a commitment to serve others! Find your purpose!

Strive valiantly! Strive to do good deeds! Do it with great devotion and enthusiasm! Spend yourself in a worthy cause! In the end, you will know the true "triumph of high achievement" and success.