PACAF commander shares lessons learned during Sisters in Arms forum

by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal
Defense Media Activity - Hawaii

6/22/2015 - FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  -- U.S. Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson, Pacific Air Forces commander, spoke to military service members during a U.S. Army Pacific's (USARPAC) Sisters in Arms event June 17, here.

During the forum, Robinson shared her Air Force career experiences and highlighted lessons she learned while overcoming obstacles to help provide advice to those in attendance and describe what her idea of great leadership is.

"Leadership to me is about the institution, not about you," Robinson said. "Making people better than you equals great success when you have a great attitude, aptitude, and you take advantage of opportunities that are provided to you."

During her career, spanning more than 30 years, Robinson has seen a lot of change in both acceptance and opportunity in the Air Force.

"In the United States Air Force I'm a commander, I'm a general, I'm an Airman, and I happen to be a woman," Robinson said. "Over time in my long career I watched things change. I've watched attitudes change. I've watched our service become more and more inclusive with more diversity of thought and more diversity of background, race and gender. All of those things make us a better institution."

Robinson said having a good attitude, building a strong aptitude and taking advantage of opportunities is important in obtaining success.

"It's about the way that you lead," Robinson said. "It's about the way that you take care of your Soldiers and take care of your Airmen."

Sisters in Arms is a U.S. Army-hosted forum, open to all services and genders, designed to help educate, mentor and empower female Soldiers.