Let’s face it: “compromise” must stop being a four-letter word in Washington.

Piloting a large organization such as the Air Force through turbulent geopolitical air is challenging, and more so without a solid budget. We’ve teetered on the seesaw of instability for too long. We need Washington to come together and compromise to fund the Air Force appropriately and help return us to fiscal stability.
I know from my 34 years in defense and industry that reaching a compromise can be tricky. In my capacity as Secretary of the Air Force, I’ve put my negotiation skills to use with Congress, international leaders, our sister services and industry partners. But my real passion is advocating for our nearly 664,000 active, Guard, Reserve and civilian airmen.
When it comes to collaborative negotiation, I’ve always followed five simple rules: Do your homework; tell the story; aim for a win-win; persevere; and keep your cool. These rules have served me well in both the public and private sector.
Keep reading this article at: http://about.bgov.com/blog/how-does-the-most-powerful-woman-in-the-u-s-air-force-get-things-done/