SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- “You only have one chance to catch somebody, and if you fail to do that you’ll never be able to put your arm around them,” said Frank Martin, University of South Carolina head basketball coach, to a group of Airmen at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, May 15.
Martin came to Shaw to speak about leadership in the first of a four-part, year-long discussion series organized by the Team Shaw Leadership Development Council. As part of a collaboration between Team Shaw and USC leaders, the series focuses on effective leadership techniques and strategies to personnel stationed at Shaw AFB.
“Opposition to leadership is prevalent now more than ever,” said Martin. “It’s important that we all, who have leadership jobs, continue to convey we have similar challenges so we can stay excited about the jobs we get to do.”
Martin continued to say there are many similarities between the fundamentals of coaching basketball and being in the Air Force, in that both have 18- year-olds coming in and growing as people under the mentorship of those who care and want them to succeed.
“In our organization, as in coach’s organization, you have to have effective leadership if you want to be successful,” said Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Harvey, Air Forces Central Command aircrew controller. “People don’t quit jobs, they quit leaders.”
Harvey said the discussion gave Airmen the opportunity to listen to someone “outside the uniform,” gain a different perspective on leadership and create a positive ripple effect in their organization.
“Something I took away from the discussion series was how similar we are with regards to how Martin applies his successes and uses his failure to lead to those successes he’s had as a leader within the organizations he’s worked with and the teams he’s led,” said Harvey.
Those interested in the discussion panels or other leadership development opportunities can contact Shaw’s career assistance advisors for more information.