“The truth is that in my High School years I was a f*ck up.” 😞
In 1998, I was 17 years old and two weeks after I graduated High School, I started Enlisted Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. I was determined to conquer the world and put a lackluster high school career behind me. I was going to ‘show’ everyone who bet against me that I was worthy because I was going to put as many medals on my chest as possible. This was all before I met my Senior Drill instructor, Ham-bone.
🧍🏻♂️”On Your Feet!”
In this article, we’ll journey back to my military experiences at enlisted basic training, where I met a tough but fair drill instructor nicknamed “Ham-bone,” SSgt Hamilton. Together, we’ll explore the leadership framework of coaching that Hambone used and how, by integrating AI, we can modernize and enhance these techniques for the next generation of leaders. I hope by the end of this article you feel inspired to use AI and adapt your leadership style using tried and true frameworks which I am now refreshing to keep up with a rapidly advancing technological age of AI.
🤪”You Big Dummy.”
Ham-bone was a seasoned drill instructor who had a unique way of coaching his recruits, using a mix of sternness and humor. He had an impressive track record, with all 14 of his flights achieving the distinction of ‘honor flight.’ For some reason, Hambone seemed to have a particular dislike for me, and I couldn’t figure out why. But one day, a seemingly insignificant incident outside the chow hall taught me an invaluable lesson about accountability and leadership. It was then that I realized that Ham-bone was actually helping me grow. Let me show you how he utilized a ‘tough love’ with a leadership framework that you can use today with your team. Maybe not as tough as Ham-bone…😅
😶Situational Stupidity
One day, Ham-bone put me at the position of attention in the middle of the drill pad outside the chow hall due to me being late to chow. The truth was that I was late, but it was because he asked me to escort another trainee to the medical clinic. Instead of giving a basic response of ‘No excuse, Sir.’ When he asked me why I was late, I told him the real reason. Basically, I said it was his fault. 😲
Ham-bone: “You don’t get it–do you, dummy? Because you do not get it, that means you still have to learn it. You will stand here at the position of attention in front of the entire squadron until you do learn.”
< Ham-bone leans in and whispers in my ear > 🤫
Dummy, I told all my friends that you think they look like 2 day old hot dogs in their dress uniforms so you might get more attention that you think.
Me: “Yes, Sir.”
I stood outside the chow hall for 30 minutes, answering questions incorrectly and getting smoked with physical training exercises as a result. As each Drill instructor approached me I knew what was going to happen. At the end of lunch service, Hambone asked me why I was late to chow again.
Me: < Panting > “No excuse, Sir.”
Ham-bone: “There you go, you big dummy…now you’re learning. You just took accountability. Sometimes in life, we will know there are things we are absolutely not at fault for, but because we are LEADERS, we OWN our actions. What would you have done differently, dummy? After I gave you that direct order and you understood it would run up against chow time.”
Me: “Sir, I would have asked if you wanted me to be on time to chow AND get this person to the med clinic.”
Hambone: “Yes, dummy. Exactly. You always need to have your brain turned on. I am your drill sergeant now, but in 8 short weeks, you’ll be at the tip of the spear covering my six. Do you understand?”
Me: “Yes, Sir.”
Ham-bone dismissed me and gave me 15 mins to eat lunch that which I was overjoyed because I normally only had 5 mins. I reflected on what had happened and as much as I wanted to angry at Ham-bone, I was grateful. I learned a very important leadership lesson and when we learned the Situational leadership model the following week it was clear that he was following it with my experience. Let me share that with you now.
📖The Situational Leadership Model: Ham-bone’s Coaching Framework
Ham-bone’s coaching style perfectly exemplifies the essence of the Situational Leadership Model. This model, developed by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard, emphasizes that there is no single “best” leadership style. Instead, effective leaders should adapt their approach based on the needs of their team members and the situation at hand.
Let’s break down the Situational Leadership Model using the Ham-bone story as an example:
- Assessing Development Levels: Ham-bone recognized that I, as a 17-year-old new recruit, had a low level of competence but high commitment to the tasks assigned to me. According to the model, this would place me at Development Level 1 (D1).
- Adapting Leadership Style: Based on my development level, Ham-bone adapted his leadership style to provide a high level of direction and support. This is known as the “Directing” leadership style (S1) in the Situational Leadership Model.
- Guiding and Coaching: Hambone used humor and personal anecdotes to communicate the importance of accountability and self-awareness. He recognized that I needed a firm but fair approach to help me understand the significance of owning my actions and learning from my mistakes.
- Monitoring Progress and Adjusting Approach: As I began to grasp the concept of accountability and demonstrated progress, Hambone adjusted his leadership approach by gradually reducing the level of direction and increasing the level of support (increasing lunch time from 5 to 15 mins). This transition from the “Directing” (S1) to the “Coaching” (S2) leadership style is crucial for the growth and development of team members.
By applying the Situational Leadership Model, Ham-bone was able to effectively coach me through a challenging situation and help me grow as a leader. As we look to develop the next generation of leaders in an AI-driven world, integrating this flexible and adaptable leadership model is essential for fostering resilience, accountability, and personal growth.
🐇 Let’s go down the AI Rabbit Hole for a Second…
Imagine the Hambone story unfolding 30 years later, in a world where AI has revolutionized various aspects of our lives, including how we develop future leaders. The Situational Leadership Model would need to adapt in order to deliver unique tailored solutions because we are all different. Here’s a hypothetical scenario that we at Guiding Lights Leadership LLC are super passionate about but first:
AI has the potential to transform performance tracking and management throughout basic training and beyond, enabling organizations to create unique OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) that directly align with their mission and bottom line. This is why leaders need to learn to become AI-Strategy Leaders. Notice, I didn’t say you need to learn how to code or program but as a leader if you are not learning how AI has the potential to revolutionize your industry you will certainly be left behind. This is where Guiding Lights helps you navigate out of the dark.
- Customized OKRs for Air Force Success: For the Air Force, the ultimate goal is to develop Airmen who will “fly, fight and win” for the nation’s safety. By leveraging AI, we could identify and track five key metrics that align with this goal, creating a baseline for performance and regular re-evaluations. This approach would enable the Air Force to optimize training and ensure that Airmen are prepared for the challenges they will face.
- Mental Health as a Key Metric: In my hypothetical scenario, I wish that my mental health had been one of the baselined metrics during my time in the Air Force. As someone who has experienced symptoms of PTSD after nine deployments and 18 moves, understanding the impact of these experiences on my mental health would have been invaluable. Filling out the return from deployment worksheet DOES NOT MEET expectations as it has career implications tied to it which make people shield their problems. That’s what I did–I needed to feed my family.
- Benefits of AI-Driven Mental Health Tracking: By incorporating mental health as a key metric and using AI to track and analyze data, the Air Force could proactively identify potential issues and provide tailored support to Airmen in need. This approach would not only enhance individual well-being but also contribute to the overall strength and resilience of the force.
- Applying AI-Enhanced OKRs to Business: In the corporate world, AI-driven OKRs can be similarly beneficial. By identifying and tracking key metrics tailored to each organization’s mission, businesses can optimize team performance, promote employee well-being, and drive growth. COVID-19 is a massive example of where it could have been beneficial prior to the pandemic to baseline employees as part of the wellness strategy for organizations. Three years later people have suppressed and things are “back to normal.” By whose definition of normal?
🎯 Conclusion: Adapting Leadership for an AI-Driven World
The main takeaway from my experiences with Hambone is that resilience, adaptability, and accountability are crucial in developing strong leaders. By refreshing the Situational Leadership Model with AI and data analytics, we can create a new generation of leaders who are prepared to excel in an increasingly AI-driven world.
📣 What are your thoughts on incorporating AI into the Situational Leadership Model? How do you envision the future of leadership development in a world increasingly driven by AI? How do you think your role as a leader today could be impacted if you do or do not choose to be strategic with AI applications? Share your insights and perspectives in the comments below! Let’s learn and grow together. Ham-Bone stories are a dime a dozen by the way–if you enjoyed this one get ready for more. 🐷🦴
“You big dummies!”