Work and dedication = ‘A Winning Team’

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Craig Lambert
  • Commander, 45th Medical Support Squadron
I love this time of the year...back to school, familiar routines, cooler temperatures (hopefully) and football season. I love college football season for the pageantry, tradition and excitement. I also can't help but get excited about all the opportunities that lay ahead for us at Patrick this fall. Just like successful college football teams, much work and dedication will be required for us to get to the successes we are expecting this fall. Successful football teams, like my Crimson Tide, provide great examples of teamwork.

Like football, it has always taken a team to be successful in the Air Force -- a team filled with individuals who are not "in it" for their own good but "in it" for the good of the unit. Do not always focus on individual goals, look at team goals. Additionally, you are responsible for your part of the team mission -- we need all individuals doing their respective parts in order for the team to effectively accomplish the mission. When one person slips, the entire mission could be in jeopardy. We need commitment and accountability to ensure individual actions always lead to team mission accomplishment.

Preparation is also a key ingredient for successful teams. Little things make a big difference. Most folks are prepared for the big things in life --however, winners work at the little things. As Coach Bear Bryant once said, "If a man is a quitter, I'd rather find out in practice than in a game. I ask for all a player has so I will know what I can expect." Practice is important and preparation is vital to ensuring the little things do not get missed.

Obviously, we will be faced with adversity but overcoming that adversity is a key to success. I love this quote, "A bend in the road is not the end of the road ... unless you fail to make the turn." We may have to adjust plans by creating innovative solutions for new problems.

So, I challenge you--keep your eye on the team mission, do your individual part, focus on preparation, and face adversity with passion. Team Patrick is counting on you!