Teams and units become elite, and develop absolute trust, when they execute the basics to perfection.
Combat soldiers must be able to hit a target with their weapon and communicate for understanding in chaotic situations. Major league players can throw the ball fast and straight to get a double play.
Likewise, staff teams and PAOs had better be precise and consistent with their simplest tasks. Commanders need to trust their Public Affairs team to work without oversight.
You and your team may have good ideas, strong relationships, and access to opportunities … but those will crumble over time without the proper foundation. You don’t have time or credibility to waste on missed deadlines; recycled/plagiarized language; misspelled words and names; off-message headlines or leads; or passive or incoherent language. As a PAO, you’d better know and share what’s in the news, understand your organization’s mission and structure, and write useful and informed public affairs guidance.
DINFOS teaches you the basics in a few weeks. If you want to be elite, come out of training ready to get the basics right, every time. Talk about and rehearse the basics with your team often. Since you’re a leader, don’t just practice the basics with your office or unit; figure out how to measure and validate those tasks.
Your ability (and empowerment) to do work that is different, better, and special, hinges on your ability to execute the basics to perfection.
(Photo by Spc. William Gibson IV, DVIDS)
