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| From: 20 Questions With John Kirby |
From The Pendulum: Doctrine Man HERE
Always be:
1. Good to your family
Nobody succeeds at this business alone. We all need help. Take time to appreciate everything your family does to support you. They’ll never ask for your thanks, but they darn sure deserve it.
2. Skeptical
Don’t be afraid to question policies or programs. You have to be the sanity check. If it doesn’t make sense to you, you are going to have a hard time communicating it. Worse, it may be a bad policy.
3. Courteous
Treat everyone you encounter as if they were at your grandmother’s dinner table.
4. Professional
Nothing about your job is personal, certainly not your relationships with media. You are always a spokesman … always. Be able to separate personal from professional issues.
5. Able to take two steps back
It’s all about context. Find ways to put things into perspective. That’s what we do.
6. Right
We can’t afford to pass bad information … ever.
7. Responsive
Reply to emails promptly. Get the phone before it rings three times. Make sure people know how to get hold of you at all times. Don’t be afraid to give out your home number.
8. Engaged
Let people see you; let them know you are informed and interested in what they are doing. Stay ahead of issues, get out in front. Think strategically.
9. Curious
Ask lots of questions; be willing to learn no matter how long you have been at any command. Nobody cares how you did it before or how successful you once were. Listen.
10. Circumspect
People have to know they can trust you with information, both at the command and in the media. Know when to speak up and when not to. Be trustworthy.
11. Yourself
Don’t try to fit someone’s mold. Be true to who you are and let that reflect in your work. A phony PAO can be spotted — and distrusted — a mile away.
12. Able to laugh
Sometimes your sense of humor will be all that gets you through. Take the work seriously, not yourself.
13. Physically Fit
You represent the military. Look the part. Workout regularly. Wear your uniform smartly.
3 comments:
It has been shameful to see him fidget over the SGT Beau Bergdahl case. So sad to see a man of his character give up his integrity.
This is a set of guidelines that will work for any organization - military or civilian. Good post, Mike
I see the good admiral doesn't follow his own advice. He is starting to stray from the truth.
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