AFMC command chaplain offers keys to resilient leadership

Published May 13, 2016
By April McDonald
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Inspiring resilient leaders was the main goal of the Air Force Materiel Command's command chaplain during a May 3 luncheon at the Tinker Club.

Chaplain (Col.) Shon Neyland spoke to the leaders in attendance about how they can get their mindsets right and how to make sure they're taking care of themselves so they can better care for those around them.

Chaplain Neyland said people need all four pillars of Comprehensive Airman Fitness to be fully operational.

"We must take care of ourselves mentally," he said. "We have to be in shape physically. Imagine, though, if like our physical PT test, we'd go over to the spiritual side and say 'We have a spiritual fitness test for you.' Chaplain Neyland referenced a concept introduced by the Chief of Chaplains, Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Dondi Costin, that dealt with spiritual fitness tests. "Imagine if we handed out a paper that asked, 'How often have you prayed? Do you have any worries in your life; check yes, no, maybe.' And you went down the list about when's the last time you talked to someone else, a partner, a friend, a colleague, a mentor about your situation."

Chaplain Neyland said he also believes the social pillar - getting together and being a part of a community - is also very important.

He also emphasized the importance of mental health as part of the whole person concept; we must have positive thinking and avoid mental burnout.

"These four are all critical to being resilient," the chaplain said, "but the key is balance."

Chaplain Neyland said resilient leaders need to be proactive and have a personal vision.

"How many of you have ever created a personal mission statement," he asked. "More of us need to do that."

He said people need to prioritize their lives and put first things first.

"But it's balance," he continued. "How do I build and emulate to those in my command the whole person concept? How do I demonstrate my leadership to them? That's the challenge."

Chaplain Neyland listed several ways leaders can set the course for resiliency. In addition to a mission statement, leaders need to review their roles and set short- and long-term goals, he said.

"We need to organize weekly," he said. "That means checking in on myself. Where am I at? What have I done and how am I progressing?"

He said leaders also need to exercise integrity, continually evaluate where they are, have self-management, be transparent and be adaptable.

"These are the kind of characteristics each of us need to be resilient leaders, to make a difference in those we serve," he said. "All of those are keys to our resiliency."