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A bass or a catfish -- which are you?

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. John M. Klein, Jr.
  • 573rd Global Support Squadron Commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Part of being a leader is finding effective ways to impart key concepts into the hearts and minds of those we lead.  One way to do this is through the use of comparative word pictures, or metaphors. When briefing my squadron, I often only display pictures or images since most people remember more of what they see versus what they hear.  The idea will stick if there is a picture that goes with it.

One of my favorite metaphors is to compare the general behaviors of catfish and bass.  Now, here is my upfront disclaimer: I do not profess to be an experienced angler or fish behaviorist. Not yet, anyway -- that is what retirement is for.  But, these two species of fish offer some broad characteristics worth comparing with respect to leadership and duty performance. Let's start with the catfish.

First, catfish are bottom feeders.  They nest in holes, hide in dark places and they wait for food to come down to them. Sure, they meander around the river bottom and scavenge their meals, but largely they feed on what happens to fall into their domain.  Catfish are sedentary creatures that do not migrate or travel far distances and it makes them very nervous to be out in the open away from cover.

In contrast, bass are a much more aggressive and active species of fish.  They actively hunt their food and when they feed effectively, they prowl, oftentimes striking at prey near the surface of the water.  Bass are much more deliberate in their behavior and they travel with purpose over long distances. In essence, they take initiative.

Now, think about your organization.  Who are the catfish and who are the bass?  You know who they are.  You can picture them in your mind right now.  Which one are you?  Are you the Airman who hides in dark corners of the unit, expending only enough effort to exist and remain unexposed?  Do you wait for a supervisor or commander to tell you what to do before taking any initiative that benefits the organization or your fellow Airmen?  Do you walk past or tolerate problems, waiting for someone else to step up and provide the solution?  Do you wait for guidance to come down to you?  If so, you might be a bottom-feeding member of your organization living off of the best efforts of others.

Your section, your flight, your squadron, your group, your wing, your Air Force, your nation and your family need Airmen who come to the surface and lead.  We need Airmen who hunt for challenges, strike at problems and actively seek appropriate guidance from supervisors so that solutions conform to the overall organizational goals established by unit leaders.  Nothing is more valuable to a leader than to have active followers who lead within their sphere of influence and bring ready-made solutions to the problems they encounter.  Quite simply, we need more bass.

We need you to care deeply about the health and success of your respective unit and to exercise the leadership required to make it happen, regardless of your rank.  Leadership is not a position -- it is a state of mind. 

There are little catfish and big catfish. Likewise, there are little bass and big bass.  But in the end, they are either catfish or bass.  

Which one are you?