I’m always surprised to see what lengths folks will go to kiss up to a new boss.

At my last base, we had a longstanding tradition of the finance guys bringing cookies to the FMB (Financial Management Board).  It all began under Gen Gjede’s watch.  After one exceptionally long FMB, which really shouldn’t have been that long, I made the comment that “If you’re going to keep us here for two and a half hours you could at least serve refreshments”.  Well, instead of taking the hint that the meeting should be shorter, they started bring cookies.  At least they were good cookies.  Chocolate Chip, Sugar, and my favorite, Oatmeal Raisin.  So, a tradition was born.  It lasted through two wing commanders but when the third one showed up, I won’t mention Karl’s name, things changed.

From day one it was obvious that the new boss was somewhat of a fitness nut/running addict.  No problem at all, that is, until the first FMB.  We all sat around the table and finance arrived with the standard stack of papers with lots of too small to read numbers and, a lovely cookie platter.  They dutifully slid the plate to the head of the table and the boss, with his nose turned ever so slightly up said “Oh, I don’t do cookies”.  And that’s all he had to say.  They all sat there for the next two hours talking UFRs, RPA, 727, 728, PBAS, and acronyms that I can’t wait to forget, and they watched the plate of cookies sit there and softly whisper “eat me, eat me, eat me……………”.  I, on the other hand, was happy to oblige the begging pastries and I put one out of its misery.  I think I heard it scream “Thank-you!!!” as it slid down my throat.

Two weeks later the boss was TDY so, as always, I had the joy of being acting Wing Commander for the week.  If you add up all of the weeks my Wing/CCs have been TDY over the last ten years, I’ve been a Wing Commander for over 2 years!  So, we had the standard Wednesday morning staff meeting and before we started, I felt it necessary to make a point.

“When we get a new commander, the only guarantee is that there will be change.  He’ll have his own priorities and, as his senior leadership team, we need to understand what he wants, support it, and communicate it down the chain.  We also need to act as a reality check to make sure he doesn’t go off the rails and get in trouble and we can’t be afraid to express our opinions.  But when push comes to shove, we do get the last two words, “Yes Sir”.  What you don’t have to do is to try to become him.  You don’t have to look like him, you don’t have to act like him, you don’t have to dress like him, you don’t have to talk like him, and you don’t have to eat like him.  So, if you want the cookie, eat the cookie.  Enough said.  Let’s look at the slides….”

Good followership is the first step to good leadership and good butt kissing shouldn’t even be in the formula.  If you’re the kind of leader that enjoys an occasional “peck on the patootie” or whose favorite movie is “The Stepford Wives” then you might want to consider rethinking your leadership style or maybe find a new line of work.

Sadly, they never did bring the cookies back!

Only one more “Hovering” before retirement!