U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Mental Fitness
My family and I recently attended the Air Power Over Hampton Roads Air Show. Not only did it stir strong feelings of patriotism, it also served as a reminder of the oath taken by members of the United States Air Force – to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.
The air show concluded with a demonstration by the Air Force Thunderbirds. It did more than mesmerize, it made a lasting impression. The precision, situational awareness, professionalism, dedication, and clear and concise communication demonstrated between the pilots and their entire crew were inspiring.
The Thunderbirds are a classic case study on the elements of great teamwork, including:
- An organizational structure that engages and supports every member of the team.
- The accomplishment of stretch goals – (goals intentionally set above standards resulting in exponential results, opportunities, and triumphs).
- Being driven by psychological capital (Psy Cap), a high degree of Hope (Hope Theory – find pathways to desired goals and be motivated to use those pathways), self-Efficacy (one’s beliefs about their capabilities to make an impact), Resilience (grow stronger in the face of adversity), and Optimism (what’s working well is viewed as a permanent characteristic of the team and its members) = HERO.
- All behaviors and interactions focus on achieving the Mission.
- And finally, a mindset to continuously build and support a high-performing team.
Mental Fitness
We call this mindset Mental Fitness, and we believe it is foundational to building and sustaining a high level of performance for each team member and the entire team. Teams and team members who are Mentally Fit are supported by four pillars for maximum team performance and well-being.
The Triple Purpose – each team member is inspired to grow in meaningful and lasting ways, help teammates do the same, and have a positive impact.
Earned Trust – The team becomes a safe place for people to be transparent and authentic, admit to mistakes and shortcomings, and feel supported and cared for by one another.
Healthy Conflict – The team embraces conflict as a gift. Members learn to be upfront and direct, challenging each other to arrive at the best solutions.
Mutual Accountability – Team members hold each other accountable for both results and conduct instead of waiting for the team leader to do so.
Mental Fitness is part of our Positive Intelligence PQ® Training Program.
Sound interesting? Find out your level of Mental Fitness by taking the DRW Mental Fitness Assessment – complete in 5 minutes, and it’s free.
You may not match the level of precision as the Thunderbirds, but you will find peak performance, well-being, and powerful teamwork by striving for mental fitness.
Linda will present Mental Fitness for Teams this July at the HR Gulf Coast Symposium in Houston, Texas.
