RADM Dyer’s Sound Bites of Life
Joseph W. Dyer, a retired US Navy rear admiral and former commander of the Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, first shared these views and lessons learned in July 1999. He pulled them out in early 2016 to find them to still be true and sound. Or, as RADM Dyer says, “Hindsight is the only true vision.”
“I have learned there is a strong correlation between many of these traits and the ability to manage and lead large, complex undertakings. Good leaders are not just born that way – they become good leaders because they have learned to listen to the sound bites of life,” RADM Dyer wrote in 1999.
Insights RADM Dyer has gained have been capsulated here (links to other installments in this series appear at the end of the story).
Passion: It’s what it takes to get the ball across the goal line. J.J. Dicks
Never Write a Mean-Spirited E-Mail: It gets around and lives forever. Susan Keen
Reach the Fleet: Remember, in the acquisition business we must work hard at keeping our ties close to the Fleet. It’s the key to final customer satisfaction. CAPT Phil Pritulsky, USN
Personal Finance: Dedicate time to managing your own money, especially early in your career. This will free your mind to focus on more important things. Rene Held
Avoid Comfortable Jobs: If you really want to have a shot at the top, seek jobs that make you stretch and grow. Seek opportunities to have your performance measured vis-à-vis your peers. Comfort isn’t necessarily a bad tradeoff but you must realize that you may give up shots at grabbing the brass ring. RADM Dick Friichtenicht, USN, Ret.
Trust your Instincts: You know more than you realize. CAPT Rob Freedman, USN, Ret.
Career Roadmap: Build one!!! You can change it and expand it, but without it, you cannot tell where you are now and where you’re trying to go. RADM Jack Chenevey, USN
Respect Data: Both the micro and macro. Know the numbers but avoid burying your head in the cockpit. You must keep looking outside to keep track of the goods and of others. CAPT Jeff Wieringa, USN
Read Wisely: Consider the Wall Street Journal, Atlantic Monthly, and Foreign Service Review. Spend time reading in areas where you know little and can grow by knowing more. Diversify yourself! Mel Luter
Communicate! The further you are from where decisions are being made, the harder you have to work at it. Dennis West
Tenacity Counts: Determination and sheer will can change cultures and organizations. VADM Bill Bowes, USN, Ret.
Flight Safety: Not even considering the sanctity of life, you can make a lot of bad acquisition decisions and still not lose as much as when you drop one aircraft. The first flight test aircraft are, ounce for ounce, more valuable than gold. Always consider “what if?” And always leave yourself a way out when going into the air. VADM Jack Readdy, USN, Ret.
Dogs That Don’t Bark: Listen to what is not said – it is often more important. Dr. Al Somoroff
Thank People: A lot of people that are working their hearts out for you want and need feedback on the good things they’re doing. It’s like getting a fix during dead-reckoning navigation it helps folks stay confidently on course. (Good on ya!”) AIRCOM Hans Roser, RAAF, Ret.
Know What’s Important — And What’s Not: Put your time and energy into what is important. As AIR-00 says, “It is all about effecting outcomes.”
Elevator Rides: If you learn how to get your point across in the time it takes for an elevator ride, senior leaders will always be glad to see you. Scott O’Neil
Give Away Your Good Ideas: They will multiply and come back to you. Tom Lawrence
Search Web and Share Bookmarks: They unlock the global library. A great one: http://www.ask.com/. CDR Craig Luigart, USN, Ret.
Find RADM Dyer’s first installment here, the second installment here, and the third installment here.
