When I was 23 and fresh out of the Academy, I deployed with the 82nd airborne into a very large-scale rescue operation. Not much went right. Our first medical helicopter went down when a heavy generator broke loose. The weather and conditions on the ground were terrible. We had contaminated fuel and had to ground our aircraft, and much of our supply line wasn't making it in right away. Senior officers hadn't made it in yet.
In the midst of the chaos, my team shared something even more terrifying: for the time being, I was in charge.
Maybe you're feeling like I felt…. inadequate.
But I started. I made exactly zero pronouncements. I called a huddle with everyone who had made it in. We managed to get any rank or ego out of the way and started innovating.
And it worked. We kept each other safe and we got the rescue operation underway.
Here's my singular thought for you: You can do this, because your team can do this.
I predict your team will be telling stories about how good it felt when you all worked together for the greater good.
If you need a wing-man for this mission, give me a call, I'll fly with you. If you need a wing-man for this mission, give me a call, I'll fly with you.
What I mean is if you want to talk at any time call my cell and I'll answer it or get right back to you.
