Corporate president shares vision of effective leadership, safety Published May 21, 2009 By Lisa Mathews Warner Robins Air Logistic Center ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Successful and effective leaders will care for the well-being of their workers, both on and off the job. This was just one of the many messages shared by Tony Charaf, president of Delta Technical Operations, to an audience of approximately 300 people. Mr. Charaf's lecture, given at the Century of Flight Hangar on May 8, was coordinated through the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center's Voluntary Protection Program Office. He spoke to those gathered about Delta's journey with VPP, continuous process improvement and the key role of leadership in the success of both. Mr. Charaf told the audience in addition to caring, he has two other strong beliefs about being an effective leader. "If I don't change faster than the things are changing outside my own walls I will be bankrupt," he said. He said when using the term bankrupt, he was referring to more than money - that without change, a person can become mentally and emotionally bankrupt as well. Another belief he has for successful leaders is that, "the higher you go in the ranking, your head should shrink and your heart should become as big as this hangar. We should help people," he said. He argued that rather than trying to have a wonderful strategy but poor focus, energy and passion, leaders with less dynamic strategies can achieve great things if the focus, energy and passion are higher. "Leaders will go out and find a way to light a fire in the heart and soul," he said. "They will look for what's right and build on it." Mr. Charaf stressed his belief that the future will be inherited by the fastest learning organization and when leaders wish to ensure change is implemented, they must be willing to see their message is delivered to every level of an organization and that the change is transparent. "Leaders are a special breed," he said. "They don't manage, they lead. If they must break the rules they must to take care of their people." He also said most communication should be face to face, while looking the other person in the eye. "You've got to see somebody's soul and the only way to see someone's soul is through the eyes," he said. Relying on e-mails and telephone conversations is not an effective form of communication he said explaining that he believes 55 percent of communication impact comes from body language, he said. Mr. Charaf said every meeting at Delta begins with a discussion on safety. He encourages his supervisors to always be willing to help their employees. "Leading with your heart, as Mr. Charaf put it, is key to success in all we do, but especially in our safety and health efforts. To create the desired culture, we must be willing to openly and unashamedly care for the well-being of our fellow team members, helping to ensure their safety at work and at home," said Melanie Clearman, lead in the Center's VPP office. Brenda Romine, WR-ALC executive director, told Mr. Charaf, "I am encouraged to see a leader such as yourself who has the moral courage to stick with your convictions. Thank you for showing it is good to have those convictions."