I've Got Your Back
The following is an excerpt from the book Old School is Good School by Chief Master Sergeant Kevin Slater (U.S. Air Force). Reprinted by GovLeaders.org with the author's kind permission.
I had just crossed the stage after receiving my NCO Preparatory Course completion certificate when my supervisor approached, shook my hand, and said, “I’ve got your back.” I nodded and walked back to my seat. As I sat there clapping my hands in support of my fellow graduates, I began to think about what my supervisor had said only moments ago, “I’ve got your back”. What did she mean by that? Was someone out to get me? I was expecting a pat on the back, not a cryptic comment regarding my personal safety.
My supervisor sometimes delivered leadership messages to me in obscure comments or cryptic words of advice. Well, this case was no different. I had just completed the Air Force’s required course for Airmen wishing to become supervisors for the first time (Airmen today complete Airman Leadership School to earn this privilege) and my supervisor didn’t step up to say ‘good job’, ‘well done’, or ‘I’m proud of you’. Instead, she had me wondering what on Earth she was talking about with ‘I’ve got your back’.
When I arrived for duty the following day, I immediately asked my supervisor if I could have a moment of her time. Fortunately this was something she gave me anytime I asked. As I pulled my chair up beside her I asked, “What did you mean yesterday when you said ‘I’ve got your back’?” Her response was unexpected and enlightening. “Kevin, everyone has a specific role to play on our team. Prior to today, your role has been to focus solely on yourself; to master the skills required of every Airman. My role has been to help you get there. As of today, your role has changed. You are now a frontline supervisor and will add ‘responsibility for others’ to your job jar. My role has also changed. I’m now your first line of defense. So, I’ve got your back.”
“What do I mean by this? When requirements and tasks flow downhill from those above us, I’ve got your back. I’ll ensure our leadership is always aware of the requirements you and your Airmen are already working. I’ll also ensure the tasks you and your Airmen are working are appropriately prioritized, so you never have to worry about risking mission failure by working the wrong (lowest priority) tasks.”
“More importantly, as a supervisor you’ll be asked to make many decisions affecting the personal and professional lives of your Airmen (duty schedules, training requirements, details, etc). Trust me, when you make a decision your Airmen don’t agree with they’re going to come to me to complain about it. When this happens, you need to know I’ve got your back.”
“I won’t throw you under the bus. I will never question your decisions in front of your Airmen. In fact, I’ll always support your decision (even if I don’t agree with it). More importantly, I’ll never ask you to change a decision you’ve made as long as the decision is not illegal, immoral, or unethical. You AND your Airmen need to know YOU are the decision-maker and you have authority commensurate with your responsibility (these two must always go hand-in-hand).”
I’ll never forget this conversation. Throughout the years, all of my experiences as an NCO and a supervisor have proven her right. I needed something more than congratulations that day. I needed to know she had my back. In fact, her support gave me the confidence to perform right out of the blocks. To this day, I support every supervisor by assuring them, “I’ve got your back.”
Chief Master Sergeant Kevin Slater has served as an American Airman for
almost three decades. He has served as a Command Master Sergeant three
times at the Wing and once at a Numbered Air Force. Chief Slater has
served overseas during the Cold War and in the United States Central Command
Area of Responsibility engaged in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom
following the events of 9/11.
Copyright © 2011 by Kevin G. Slater