Beyond Focus: The Power of Situational Awareness in Leadership
As an officer in the Air Force, I was introduced to a concept that resonated deeply with me: Situational Awareness (SA). SA isn’t just about being aware of what’s directly in front of you; it’s about perceiving, understanding, and effectively responding to the entirety of your surroundings. It’s the ability to read a room, see the big picture, and operate with discernment.
During my Basic Cadet Training (BCT) at the United States Air Force Academy, I underwent SERE School—Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape. In this intense program, we were trained to survive as isolated personnel in combat environments. One exercise, in particular, left a lasting impression: being handed a tablet with seemingly pro-American messages, only to find out there were conflicting messages on the back, capturing our reactions on camera. It was a stark reminder of how easily perceptions can be manipulated.
Recently, at a magic show in Paradise, PA, I was called on stage to participate in a mind-reading trick. While my attention was focused on the magician and the audience, unseen assistants behind me orchestrated the illusion. It brought back memories of SERE, highlighting the importance of maintaining situational awareness even in seemingly benign situations.
In leadership, we often emphasize the power of focus. However, as my experiences have taught me, too much focus can blind us to the subtle cues and manipulations happening around us. In my book, SPARK: The Five Essentials To Ignite the Greatness Within, I emphasize the importance of singularity—having clear goals and unwavering focus. But alongside singularity, we must cultivate situational awareness to ensure we aren’t being led astray or manipulated without our knowledge.
So, as leaders, let’s keep our eyes open and our heads on a swivel. Let’s embrace the power of situational awareness to navigate the complexities of leadership effectively. After all, true leadership isn’t just about what’s directly in front of us—it’s about understanding the entire landscape and making informed decisions accordingly.
Meet The Author, Dr. Tracey C. Jones
Tracey C. Jones is nationally known for her leadership expertise, as well as her ability to connect on a core level with her audiences .
With her signature wit, she masterfully weaves leadership concepts and actionable strategies together with humor and a deep understanding of life in the workplace. Her latest book, A Message to Millennials: What Your Parents Didn’t Teach You and Your Employer Needs You to Know delivers just that blend of professional development strategies and real-world solidarity. Perfect for mentoring, onboarding or developing new personnel, this is a timeless resource that will appeal to employees across generational divides.
At the core of her philosophy on leadership is a simple belief that a commitment to lifelong learning results in a resilience and positive attitude that can alter the work environment for the better each and every day. With nearly four decades of experience across four industries from the military to semi-conductor to publishing, Tracey has crafted organizational leadership techniques that can be implemented right away for noticeable results. She challenges her audiences to bravely embrace their challenges and take the all-important next steps toward effecting meaningful change in their personal and professional lives.
As a graduate of the Air Force Academy with twelve years as an officer in the United States Air Force, Tracey’s storied career in uniform took her from Roswell, New Mexico to the Gulf War to stations in Germany and England, where she honed her operational expertise and tremendous leadership skills in a number of command roles. As a civilian, she built an impressive career as a corporate “fixer” over ten years with industry leaders such as Applied Materials and Northrup Grumman, as well as a stint as a Project Manager with the National Security Agency (NSA). A believer in the value of lifelong learning, Tracey holds her PhD in Leadership and an MBA in Global Management.
Her father, the late Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, founded Executive Books in 1965 with the goal of changing the world one book at a time. After amassing an exceptional leadership background of her own, Tracey took the company’s reins in 2009 – and carries on her father’s tremendous legacy today. She believes that philanthropy and community engagement are at the heart of leadership. The profits of Tremendous Leadership support The Tremendous Trust which has provided over $1.3 million in donations locally and globally over the last eight years.
