Commentary -- Tough but fair Published July 13, 2010 By Senior Master Sgt. Russell Thomas 47th Medical Group command chief LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- What does it mean to be tough but fair and why is this so important? In the next couple of paragraphs I will highlight the answer to these two questions. My goal is to provide insight that has the potential to develop great leaders and followers. To be tough but fair means to uphold and enforce standards while being unbiased. Allow me to illustrate my point. I had to repeat the first grade because I missed too many school days playing hooky. My mother used some tactics on me that the special forces are still using today; let's just say she "spanked" me. She was tough on me, very tough. My mother told me that I better not ever fail at anything else in my life. She could have allowed the teacher to promote me to the second grade, but decided to hold me accountable for my actions. To let me off the hook would have set me up for failure in the future. She made sure I repeated the first grade and was absolutely unbiased. The valuable lesson my mother taught me was to pursue excellence. She was tough but fair and this is why I am a chief-select today. Like our parents, commanders, first sergeants and supervisors are tough on us because they want us to be the absolute best that we can be, they also know that fairness is the counter-balance to toughness. When something is easy, we often do not apply ourselves, but when something is tough, we deliver outstanding results. Toughness also improves morale by inspiring you to be a better performer which leads to accolades, awards and praise. Knowing your personnel will be your gauge to how and when to be tough. Fairness is even more motivating when you know the playing field is even and rewards are given on merit versus having favorites. You are more than likely to work and compete harder when you know the standards and you have a fair chance to maximize your potential. Morale is directly proportional to productivity. Low morale equals low productivity, therefore working on maintaining high morale by enforcing standards will lead to increased productivity. The most critical aspect of our character is having integrity and the moral courage to do the right thing all the time which is what tough but fair is all about.