In the Civil Air Patrol we have a book that's called "Leadership Laboratory." In there it mentions something called the "ABCD's" of leadership. In this article, I'd like to focus on the last letter: D, or, dynamics.

Now, when it says dynamics what is it referring to? Obviously it's referring to dynamics with people! Human-to-human relations. Now, there are all sorts of ways you can improve this. We'll try to cover some of the basics today.
First off, how can Dynamics affect leadership?

Example: Cadet Commander looking for a Cadet XO. Who is he going to choose? The cadet he's never known or the cadet he does know? (Ever heard the saying, "It's not what you know, it's who you know?") Probably the guy he does know, gets the nod because he won't want to take the chance with some guy he's never met. Will he work well with this guy? Will he hate his guts? He can avoid this gamble by just choosing the guy he does know.

Example: According to one survey of employers, the number one reason people get fired is because they couldn't get along with their co-workers or boss.
Obviously, as we've noticed from these two examples, dynamics can be the difference between whether or not you get a job, and whether or not you keep it. So, how do you make sure you have GOOD dynamics?

1. Follow orders
I have a couple of times dealt with cadets who thought right then and there would be a good time to back-talk to me and fight me on orders. When is a good time to discuss or question orders? Staff meetings or a phone call after the activity! But when you are told something, unless it's a suggestion or they're looking for your input, just do it. The rest of the time you're flight commander is not looking for your input. When he tells you, "take off the tie," then is NOT a good time to start asking why. Shut up and do it. I call this the Nike concept... Just do it!

2. Remember Names
How many people have you met with your name? I mean with exactly your name. Same first name and same last name. I'm betting never. That's right, your name is yours. No one else has it. It's the one thing that verbally labels everything you are. So, when people mess up your name, isn't it annoying? Remembering someone's name can go farther then a bribe. I myself am tickled pink when some one correctly remembers my name. And when I remember people's names, they're A) Impressed that I was able to remember it, and B) Know I care enough about them to remember their name. (editor's note: this is especially true when wearing the new service dress uniform without the name tag!)

3. Don't Whine
If you don't like something and you're not happy with it, do not say, "This stinks!" That's just whining and it wastes my time and yours. Being unhappy with something is OK (as long as you first have tried to understand why it's being done), but just whining is not. If you are unhappy and voice a complaint, give a suggestion for what to do. Say, "This stinks! Can we do this instead?" Then, you're constructively complaining, not whining. If you give the suggestion and they still want to do the stupid thing, well, tough. Live with it, sometimes that's life

4. Be a Nice Guy
You've heard the old adage "nice guys finish last"? Well, it's wrong. Stupid guys finish last. Nice guys don't go looking for battles and arguments. Stupid guys do. Nice guys just take the order and do their best to accomplish it. Stupid guys try to find things wrong with orders and constantly raise trouble about what's wrong with it. (This gets back in to the "Follow Orders" thing.) I know a kid, Weasel McNasty. He talks bad about people behind their backs, tells nasty jokes, cusses a lot, and is not a guy I would say has a whole lot of class. He is constantly in a state of surprise when he suddenly gets put in to these lousy positions by his Cadet Commander. He shouldn't be. He does everything wrong! Watching Weasel has really been an education in what happens when you're a jerk.

5. Courtesy Counts
The moment you joined CAP, AFJROTC, or any military or junior military organization you started learning customs and courtesies. Always, ALWAYS treat people with respect. Special Agent Christopher Whitcomb of the FBI says, "Give some one a little respect and they'll do anything for you." He gave an example of getting a fugitive to surrender by promising him there wouldn't be people running up to him, slamming him against the car and putting his hands in cuffs. They met at a gas station in Tucson and the man peacefully surrendered while agents respectfully put him in handcuffs and put him in the car.

6. Enthusiasm
In an episode of the cartoon "Doug" there was one time when Doug was suggesting to his friends that they all go to the amusement park "Funky Town." He did it in a semi-depressed tone. Everyone was like, "Nah, let's do something else." Then this other guy, Chockey, suggested they go to Funky Town. Only, he said it with excitement, vigor, and just really lit up the place! When he got done, everyone was all for going to Funky Town. Why? Enthusiasm. People are attracted to enthusiastic, bright, positive people. Look at the popular folks in your school. How many of them do you think are on anti-depressants? None! They're just naturally spunky and happy. That's why they're so popular.

So, how should we generally try to act? With class. Don't show your annoyance right away at just anything. If you don't like something, don't start cussing and yelling about it. We have a guy in my bagpipe band that does this. Instead, think "WWJBD?" What Would James Bond Do? I know it sounds kind of funny, but think about it. He's a very smooth guy. Smooth as glass. When he disagrees with something in a meeting he doesn't immediately start yelling, "YOU FOOL! What are you thinking? That's horribly wrong!" No, he'd probably say something like, "Well, I don't know about that. Perhaps we can do this?" And he always keeps his cool. My previous example, "Weasel", is a hothead like this, too.

Everything you say and do is constantly monitored by everyone and it goes in to their evaluation of what kind of person you are. Now, will we always be Mister or Miss perfect? No. You still have those days when you're just a little bit off and you come away from conversations thinking, "Why did I have to say that?"

But, should you be obsessed with what other people think of you? No. Then, you start worrying so much about that you lose focus on the mission or whatever your objectives are.

Most importantly, enjoy your time with people. I know it's kind of a hard concept. Actually enjoy people? I've heard the joke, "My only problem with the human race is people!" However, you only get one chance on this earth. When you're done, it's over. Will people look back and think, "Wow, what a jerk." "He always had a nice uniform!" "She was such a smart dresser." A few years ago when coach Lute Olson's wife died, they were interviewing the players. They all commented on how nice she was. How she made the new players pies. How she was like a second mom. No one commented on her fashion sense. People remember you for how you make them feel. How you make people feel will have a direct impact on how well you can lead them.