Interview: JoAnne "Jo" Bass, Second Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant
Tellus about yourself. What is it that youdo for a living? What is the scope of your responsibilities (number oflocations you operate or manage and number of people you lead) and whom do youserve as customers?
I’ve had the privilegeto serve as an Airman for the past 26 years. I joined in hopes of doing 4 (quick) years, getting my GI Bill, thenfiguring out what to do with my life. Little did I know, that the Air Force would be a huge part of my life –it has shaped who I am, and the future of my family forever. I have the great pleasure of serving as theSecond Air Force Command Chief. I amresponsible to over 13,000 Airmen, five Training Wings, and over 70 operatinglocations across the world. ThoseAirmen, in turn, are responsible for training, developing, and inspiring thenext generation of Airmen. Over 93% ofAirmen in our Air Force come through our command, either through Basic MilitaryTraining (BMT), or Technical Training (initial skills, or advancedtraining). Everything we do is to ensurewe are developing the Airmen We Need to remain the world’s greatest Air Force.
Whendid you realize this is what you wanted to do as a profession? How did you know?
At about the four-yearmark of service, I knew I had to make a decision on whether or not I wanted toreenlist, and I did…mostly because I needed to pay off my Honda Civic, and someof which was of patriotic reasoning. Atthat time, I was still serving for ‘self’. It wasn’t until about the eight-year mark where I fully realized what itmeant to “serve”. I had gone on a fewdeployments, served in organizations with inspiring and strong leaders, startedto feel a sense of belonging, and realized the greater context to what it meantto serve in the Profession of Arms. Idrank the proverbial Kool-Aid, the “they” became “we”, and at that time, I quitrenting space in our Air Force. I beganowning it.
Where do you draw your inspiration?
That’s easy…I honestly draw my inspiration from our people. When I was younger, I often needed and gainedinspiration through the words or actions of leaders above me. As I’ve grown, that influence has grown aswell…I am now very much influenced and inspired by fellow Airmen of all ranks,especially our junior ranking Airmen. When I hear and learn about their stories, why they serve, what keepsthem serving—it inspires me even more to do my very best in the position I amin. They are counting on leaders likeme, to make positive impact in their lives…I owe them my best.
Whatis the biggest challenge in your industry or profession and how do you solveit?
The biggest challengewe have today is being able move at the speed of relevancy. We have many antiquated processes, policies,and systems. It takes time and effort toaddress each one. Many of our Airmendon’t question them and continue being hostage to those processes…or when theytry to change them, get exhausted at the effort needed. We must keep pushing through—relentlesslypush for better and more effective ways to do business.
Whatare some ways you have found that your organization is getting after thischallenge of moving at the “speed of relevancy?”
Fortunately for us, wehave some forward-thinking commanders that have created strong cultures ofempowerment. When you accompany thatwith talented Airmen…magic naturally happens. The communities that do it best, are the ones that unleash their Airmen—encouragethem to move out, innovate, and thrive. And also support their Airmen through action, resources, and anenvironment where it’s safe to share ideas. We see this a lot in our training environment; however, I don’t see itenough in our day-to-day operations. That’s where we need to improve, and that’swhere I talk with Airmen about how we can get after the daily and routinetaskings and make them more efficient, effective, and relevant. When I ask Airmen why we do certain things,many struggle to tell me the why. Infact, we do many things out of habit (or that’s how we always do things)…butit’s not out of necessity. These are thethings we must challenge, and/or stop doing. It’s a cultural shift…we must stop and consider what it is that we muststop doing, to get after the things we must do.
Howdo you define work-life balance and how do you attain it?
Work-life balance to meis simply trying to balance the demands of “life” …both professionally, andpersonally. During most of my career,I’ve been out of balance, and it hasn’t been until the last three years thatI’ve started to get it right. For thefirst twenty years, I’ll admit that work had a tendency to come first. I might have said that family was first, butmy actions showed otherwise. I’d comehome from work and pull up my laptop and continue working. That was pretty standard. But it took its toll…on my family, and itdefinitely took a toll on me. It wasn’tuntil I started studying, reading, learning about minimalism, self-care, andmindfulness, that I started to get my act together. Today I feel like I have a healthybalance. I feel good about what Iaccomplish at work, I push off the non-important things, I delegate more. When I’m home, I’m present. I rarely work after duty hours, if I do…I doit when my kids go to bed. And I pourinto me…a lot of self-care habits. I’mdeliberate about it, and unapologetic. In the end I’m a better person when I take care of me. Better wife, mom, Airman.
What3 books do you recommend to others who wish to follow a similar path?
I cannot limit it tothree books. (smile) There are way too many amazing books outthere. I’ll list a few I’m reading rightnow (a few are re-reads): Dare to Lead, The Coaching Habit, What Got YouHere…Won’t Get You There. Quitehonestly…anything you read, will make you better. I try to balance it out by reading somethingI enjoy, and something that helps me grow (personally & professionally). Most of my best learning actually come fromarticles and periodicals -- I typically look up topics that I know very little aboutor need a better understanding…then study the topic in depth.
Do you have a preference on the method in which youconsume books? Audio, physical text orboth? Any tips for someone who isinterested in taking on more reading?
I have a huge libraryof books. And because I’m a visuallearner, I like reading, highlighting, and re-reading over again. It’s only been over the last few years thatI’ve started to buy audio books. Andwhile I like the convenience of it, especially while traveling, I miss beingable to highlight and re-read something that stands out to me. The advice I’d give to anyone wanting to readmore…is “just do it”. There is no magicformula. No set number of pages,chapters, or books. No comparingyourself with how much another person is reading. Just read. That’s it. If you can only sparefive minutes a day, then read something good for five minutes (that’s why I’m afan of leadership & business articles). To be honest, I was not a fan of reading while growing up. It always seemed like too much effort, Ilacked the discipline, as well as the time (or so I thought). As I grew in rank and responsibility, as Istarted to realize how my actions impact those around me…I knew I needed to bebetter, I wanted to be my best…so I forced myself to read. Again, as I shared above…sometimes that wasjust five minutes a day, or maybe a 15-minute podcast, didn’t matter…what Ihave learned over the years is that the words of President Truman are correctwhen he says, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”
Howdo you define success?
Success is not thenumber of stripes on your sleeve, or stars on your shoulder. Success is the legacy you leave behind in thepeople you touch. Success is having yourfamily and friends there, when it’s all said and done.
Ifyou could have a conversation with anyone living, who would it be? Whatquestions would you ask?
Not one person inparticular. Instead I’d like to sit downand listen to those that are older than me, especially those that are part ofthe Greatest Generation. I’m fascinated bytheir story and life experiences. Theymake me want to be better. They did somuch to secure our way of life, leave us a legacy…we owe it back.
Favoritemotivational quote?
“Success usually comesto those who are too busy to be looking for it.” - Henry David Thoreau
What’sthe best advice you have ever received?
A little humility wouldgo a long way. (That is the first honestfeedback I ever got from a major, when I was a young SSgt)
Whatrituals or practices do you do to keep you motivated?
Practicing Mindfulness& Self-Care. It’s in thosereflective times that I get refocused and centered around what is important…andprioritize my tasks, big to small.
Any final words you’d like to pass on to the readers?
You are never too old to learn…in fact, who you are today, pales in comparison to who you will be two years from now. That has been true in my life and will certainly be true in yours. Keep learning, enjoy the journey, don’t hold grudges, live a life you’ll be proud of.