Out of my top nine values that I selected, the top five are as follows (in no particular order):
- Integrity and truth
- Having self-respect and pride in work
- Using creativity, imagination; being innovative
- Autonomy, independence, freedom
- Adventure and excitement
My second value is having self-respect and pride in work. This also ties with the core values of the Air Force, especially in the third core value being excellence in all we do. This is focused on having passion in continually improving and innovating for the Air Force in order to maintain our status as the number one military in the world. This is important because it gives us a sense of pride and ownership to accomplish and perform to the best of our abilities.
In my job at the Ciambrone Radiochemistry Laboratory, I am able to use creativity and innovation by applying different scientific techniques to better our processes in analyzing our data. A major part of it is being able to stay at the forefront of scientific discovery in order to apply better methodology. This is a challenge, but it helps with having many outstanding and knowledgable employees who are subject matter experts in their respective fields. The challenge is being able to collaborate to work not only as a work group, but as a team that is dependent on each of our capabilities (Denning, 2011).
My fourth value, independence is something that is important for me that I do not really have control of in my current job as an Air Force Officer. I have taken an oath to serve and protect the people of this nation and do not have full autonomy of what I am able to do. I have somewhat of a say through putting in requests and applying for certain jobs, but ultimately, it is what the Air Force needs me to do that I will do. This is part of the second Air Force core value of service before self. This key point looks at taking professional duties over personal desires and is something that I have chosen to commit to.
Lastly, the fifth value is on adventure and excitement. Due to having the Air Force having control of my career path, I have been able to experience somethings I never thought I would be able to have the chance to. I have been able to work as a Program Manager of a modeling and simulation branch, followed by being an Operations Officer of an research and development facility, and now the Deputy Branch Chief in the Ciambrone Radiochemistry Laboratory. I have had many wonderful opportunities and have been given the chance to meet outstanding people along the way.
Discuss how your values influence you and share what, if anything, you are going to do about these results?
Based on the results from this assessment, I have been able to get into a reflective state of mind. This kind of introspection helps lead to critical thinking that allows me to evaluate about my situation in an authentic and reasonable way (Nosich, 2012). It has given me time to think about my career so far and what I care about intrinsically. Some of these intrinsic features come from the bonds I have been able to make with co-workers along the way that have become great friends. It is this sense of satisfaction that goes beyond money or other tangible things. According to Deming (1987), it was pointed out that management should remove barriers that rob people of their right to pride of workmanship. If the workers feel as though their work is meaningless, it will be hard to motivate or inspire them to reach goals and may end up creating a toxic environment. For me, this rings especially true because even on tough days at work, what keeps me moving forward is the overall goal that we are fighting for and that is to support the warfighter in defending our freedoms against our adversaries. This value really fits into having self-respect and pride in my work because of the mission that I am a part of.
Share which of Denning’s four values best represents your organization. Describe what about your organization’s culture leads you to this conclusion. Explain how your organization transmits its values throughout the organization. Discuss what other workplace values might serve the organization better.
Out of Denning's (2011) four values, the one that best represents the Air Force is a mix between pragmatists and ethical values. It is pragmatic due to their values in supporting the mission to fly, fight, and win in air, space, and cyberspace and strategic vision in accomplishing these goals as defined by the Secretary of Defense (Secretary of the Air Force, 2014). On the other hand, the Air Force has a sense of ethical values because it aims at treating all of their stakeholders (e.g. civilians, contractors, military members, veterans, allies, etc.) as humans rather than assets and are socially and environmentally conscious of the politics of the world today.
In my four years of service active duty so far, I have seen these two values through many organizations and leaders. Many of these values are indoctrinated by going through a commission program through ROTC or Officer Training School (OTS). These values are common and constantly preached throughout the Air Force by the leaders of the organizations on a regular basis. As for other values that may serve the Air Force better, I think the traditions and core values that it is founded upon back in 1947 as departing the Army as the Army Air Corps have served it well. It is backed by the thousands of veterans who have served and are still valued by those currently service today.
References
Deming, E.W. (1987). Transformation of today’s management. Executive Excellence, 4(12), 8.
Denning, S. (2011). The leader’s guide to storytelling: Mastering the art and discipline of business narrative (Revised and updated edition). San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Nosich, G. M. (2012). Learning to think things through: Critical thinking across the curriculum (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Secretary of the Air Force. (2014, November 12). Air force culture (Air Force Instruction 1-1). Washington, DC: United States Air Force.
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