Not Whys
Not whys
In our last post, we discussed the importance of a clear “why” that harnesses your talents, gifts, and interests to serve a need. Our helicopter aircrews’ “why” was to “Operate our helicopters effectively and efficiently in service to others.” We accomplished this by (1) providing a ready asset and a proficient ready crew, (2) affecting a training program that develops versatile, highly, skilled aircrews, (3) cultivating aircrews who have the skills, knowledge, and passion to train the next generation of CG rotary wing aircrews (within the limits of our maintenance program) and (4) maintaining the long-term health/wellness/readiness of our crew so we can surge to meet critical needs.
Although a worthy endeavor, this “why” was a tall order and I knew each of us would occasionally stray from the path and let, what I refer to as one of our “not whys”, control our conduct. To monitor and help each other stay true to our objective, we introduced the following red flags/key indicators of “not whys”, which hindered our ability to operate from a position of integrity.
Red flags/key indicators – “not whys”
If my actions/operations are being driven by a desire for…
pride/status
convenience/comfort
entertainment/thrill
other personal gain at the cost of the collective good
…I know am off the path.
As humans, it would be unrealistic to think we could completely avoid these motivations from creeping into our consciousness altogether. Rather, the goal was to increase the rate and frequency we could identify and interdict these thoughts/motives before they drove action. Catching these “not whys” in advance allowed us to reassess and redirect our action so that we could continue operating from a position of integrity.
As a group, if we found a “not why” driving the way we operated a helicopter or performed our other duties, we resolved to call each other on it, check our motives, and redirect our efforts so that they aligned with our “why.” I encourage everyone to provide me with feedback (the more immediate, the better) if they sense my actions are not commensurate with what I preach. My teenage daughters and loving spouse exercise this authority regularly. They importantly keep my focus on “deeds not words.”
While these “not whys” were developed for our work in helicopter rescue, they are beneficial to recognize in all facets of life, including when supporting friends and family, serving as a leader/manager in an organization, and in community building endeavors. Finally, even though we cannot eradicate them completely, we can derail any impact “not whys” invite by acknowledging them early and often, and then redirecting our behavior to align with our “why.” Thank you for reading. – Spiral up