Disclaimer: The names of the Afghan airman mentioned in this article have been made up to protect their real identities.
“Baad maa rawaan ke” – “With a bold step forward” As the Chief of Fixed Wing Flying Training for the Afghanistan Air Force, I had the privilege of leading and implementing training, innovation, and ethics in a war-torn nation. I was part of the United States’ efforts to help the Afghan nation fight terrorism and gain independence for their people into the future. My role was crucial in helping the Afghan nation fight terrorism by providing them with new weapons systems and staying proficient with existing weapon systems. In this challenging environment, I learned the importance of responsible innovation and ethics in implementing change.
“Zra da yaw moo ba paamee” – “The sky was the limit”
One major challenge I faced was a lack of motivation and the approach to change management among Afghan airmen. Previous change management methods had resulted in threats of insider attack, requiring our advisor contingent to have 24/7 security while we worked with our Afghan partners. One airman, Sam, was initially skeptical about learning or supporting a new mission that would provide kinetic effects in the kill chain as it went against his religious beliefs. Despite repeated efforts to motivate and encourage him, Sam remained apprehensive and unwilling to embrace change which impacted his ability to fight and ‘win’ the war.
“Rast o baad ba manzaree” – “Straight and strong in sight” I was determined to find a solution and that’s when I met Alex, another Afghan airman who was eager to learn and grow. I decided to work with and coach Alex and leverage his “wasta” (cultural influence or clout) to inspire and motivate others, including Sam, to embrace the new mission. Alex also coached me to help me realize the importance of building relationships and being inclusive of his people’s cultural differences. I took the sage advice to engage in cultural activities such as a ritual of tea drinking to get to know each other better, having traditional meals with our leadership teams (nana chasht), & talked about families before discussing work during our famous “pancake days.” This helped me to build a more positive and trusting relationship with the Afghan airmen, which led to better acceptance of the training program and long-term vision. Sam’s transformation was incredible. He went from being skeptical and apprehensive to embracing change and becoming a key player in the new mission.
“Ba wafa o zra da khoobee” – “With loyalty and the sky is beautiful” This experience taught me the value of leading by example, accepting coaching, and the power of positivity in the face of adversity. By inspiring others to embrace change and pursue growth, we can overcome even the toughest challenges. I also learned the significance of responsible innovation and ethics in challenging situations. It’s a reminder that as leaders, it’s our responsibility to promote the development and deployment of new technologies in safe, ethical, and equitable ways. Finally, I learned the importance of promoting a growth and learning culture, which drives positive change and drives organizations forward.
“Afghanistan to Your Corporate Job”
According to a study by McKinsey, 70% of change management initiatives fail due to a lack of employee engagement and buy-in. My air advisor experience highlights the importance of building positive relationships, being inclusive of cultural differences, and leading by example to drive successful change.
In conclusion, my experience as an air advisor for the Afghanistan Air Force taught me the importance of responsible innovation and ethics in challenging situations. It’s a powerful reminder that as leaders, it’s our responsibility to promote the development and deployment of new technologies in safe, ethical, and equitable ways, and to inspire and motivate others to embrace change.
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