5 Elements for Leaders to Provide Effective Air Cover

Coming from an Air Force background, it is not surprising that I would write a post on air cover. In the corporate world, air cover refers to a leader’s ability to cover a subordinate long enough for that person to get through a tough period, turn things around, or move an initiative far enough along so as to be able to stand on its on. Great leaders know how to do this and are not afraid to use their political clout or organizational credibility to provide air cover. Providing good air cover requires 5 elements.

Proper Timing

Knowing when to provide air cover is a critical step to being successful at it. If you wait too long to do so, the employee or team you are trying to cover will have suffered too many blows from which they may not recover. Jump in too early and you might rob the leader of an opportunity to take ownership of the problem and to learn how to deal with a management team when bad news need to be delivered.

Visible and Invisible interventions

The best air cover should be done openly when you want to demonstrate your support. This sends a clear message to all that you are behind the individual and wish for them to succeed. Some air cover must also be provided behind closed doors using one-on-one meetings too ensure broader corporate support is not withdrawn.

At Different Levels

Sometimes air cover must come from 30,000 feet and sometimes it must be delivered from the nape of the earth. Successful air cover must be provided at various levels to be effective. You might have to intervene with the leader’s peers to buy time until things turn around. You might also have to go a couple of levels of higher and ensure the buy-in and continued support of corporate executives.

Final Push

When you sense the team is about to turn things around, it is crucial that your air cover be as effective as possible. It is often in that final push phase that detractors and naysayers may increase their interference to prove themselves right. Effective air cover efforts will have to be doubled up.

Belief in the Leader

You can only provide effective air cover if you believe in the leader’s capability to lead the team to succeed. Make sure the leader knows that you trust him/herwith the mandate and that you have full confidence in their ability to succeed. This includes letting them know that they should not hesitate to come to you if they feel that air cover is required.

I have had many leaders provide me air cover when I needed it most. Without it, I would not have succeeded. I have passed it forward to my subordinates and I encourage you to do the same.