Success Stories

Bryan Zawikowski
Division Director - Military Transition Division
Lucas Group Recruiting
1st Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force (retired)

“Command. Control. Communication (chapter 1) – I can’t tell you how many times I heard those words in the Air Force. One of the first lessons I learned as a student pilot at the U.S. Air Force Academy was how to properly transfer control of the aircraft from one pilot to another. Transfer of aircraft control is initiated by the current pilot lightly shaking the control stick from side to side and saying to the other pilot “...you have the aircraft.” Aircraft control is not formally transferred, however, until the receiving pilot communicates back to you by also “shaking the stick” “...roger, I have the aircraft.” You have verbal and physical communication to transfer command or the aircraft and control of the situation. It all ties together.

The lesson here is that to be a great leader in an organization, you need to ensure that everyone knows who is ultimately responsible for getting things done – who is in “command” at any given moment in time. It’s pretty clear with my recruiters that I am the boss and they are the soldiers. That’s not meant in a demeaning way – the recruiters (who are made up of relatively young, ambitious salespeople) want to be led. They want to know who they should talk to when they have an issue. They want to know what is expected of them and how they will be compensated.

Bullet Points states that any relationship, be it personal or business, is built on clear communication. I could not agree more. Be honest and forthright throughout your organization and you will be amazed at the productivity you’ll generate from your employees.”