IAF Air Marshal Gives Lessons in Leadership at Myra

Air Marshal Ramesh Rai, Air Officer Commanding-in Chief, Training Command Headquarters, Indian Air Force, Bangalore, delivered an inspirational talk to students at the MYRA School of Business on January 9, 2015

He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Jyoti Rai, President of the Air Force Wives’ Welfare Association; Air Commodore, Om Prakash Tiwari of the Air Force Selection Board, Mysore and a host of Senior Air Force Personnel.

The initiation of a leader in the Forces begins with the all-important oath-taking ceremony, explained the Air Marshal.  The oath is imbibed into the blood and soul of every officer.  The commitment to the nation, uniform and to oneself, in that order, is also drilled into their souls.  The motto that is ingrained into each officer’s psyche during training ensures that every officer comprehends that the safety, honor and welfare of the nation always comes first; the safety, honor and welfare of the men they command always follows next; while personal ease, comfort and safety always comes last.

That there are lessons here for future business leaders is obvious because often one finds an exact flip of this motto in the corporate world! Managers and leaders often get sidetracked from taking decisions that build the company they work for in favour of decisions that secure their position in the company and expand their own personal fiefdoms. 

The motto that is ingrained into each officer’s psyche during training: the safety, honor and welfare of the nation always comes first; the safety, honor and welfare of the men they command always follows next; while personal ease, comfort and safety always comes last. That there are lessons here for future business leaders is obvious because often one finds an exact flip of this motto in the corporate world!

Sir Marshal Rai said that the training for future leaders begins at the ab-initio level with soldiers imbibing the required knowledge and skills to deal with all kinds of warfare.  Applying the skills gained through class room lectures, demonstrations and war simulation exercises, they acquire the knowledge and experience that will produce the competencies essential to effective leadership.  They are focused on honing followership abilities, influencing peers and motivating subordinates.

At the Operational level, personnel are trained to understand the broader Air Force perspective and the integration of diverse people and their capabilities to execute operations. 

At the Strategic level, airmen combine highly developed occupational and enduring competencies to apply broad professional leadership capabilities. At this level, an airman’s required competencies transition from the integration of people with missions, to leading and directing exceptionally complex and multi-tiered operations.

Drawing upon his personal experiences during the Kargil War and other war encounters, he enthralled the audience and instilled what true leadership entails: adapting and maintaining composure in stressful situations; demonstrating flexibility and resilience; seeking and accepting constructive criticism; balancing change and continuity; inspiring trust through establishing open, candid, and good relationships; treating all individuals fairly and with respect; maintaining high standards of integrity; placing mission success over personal gain; leading courageously from the front; taking personal responsibility and accountability for decisions and actions — are all the facets of a good leader, and every officer is trained to develop these qualities during his career, he said.

…the stark difference between a leader in the Forces and in the corporate world is the ability of a leader in the Forces to motivate the men he commands to go to war and give his life for the country.  It is this aspect that makes it all the more important for a leader of the Forces to have a conceptual clarity as every decision he makes and every command he gives

He explained that the stark difference between a leader in the Forces and in the corporate world is the ability of a leader in the Forces to motivate the men he commands to go to war and give his life for the country.  It is this aspect that makes it all the more important for a leader of the Forces to have a conceptual clarity as every decision he makes and every command he gives is critical to the entire group. 

He emphasized on two characteristics of a good leader — being audacious, and expressing a strong professional presence.  These two traits, he stated, will ensure that your team believes in your vision and connects with you as a leader and with the mission at large.  They provide the spirit, soul and continuity of the Mission statement.  This is the epitome of Leadership he concluded.   

He wrapped up the session with a short movie clip to demonstrate that the mission of the IAF is to defend the skies of the nation to ensure that the countrymen sleep peacefully.