Our airport has been mired in a sticky, sordid, struggle for some time now. It has persistently provoked people for years. Amid confusion and misinformation, opinions abound. Most are damning, few are constructive and fewer still supportive.

Who is to blame? The tenants, the employees, the management, the airport commission, the county commission, other county officials . . . ourselves?

For those who blame the airport commission, please step up. In a few months the county commission will seek applicants for the airport commission. This year they must, in accordance with state law, appoint two members to serve three-year terms. This is an opportunity to offer service to your community.

For those who blame the county commission, please step up. All seven county commission seats will be on the November 2016 state ballot. The Massachusetts Secretary of State web site has the information you’ll need (www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/). The elected term is two years.

If circumstances prevent you from serving in accordance with the aforementioned; stop complaining, find someone you admire and respect, then encourage them to please step up!

Our present airport commission under the strong and capable leadership of Myron Garfinkle has embraced the Herculean task of changing the culture that has permeated the airport for too long a time. They have most of the tools needed to effect repairs: authority, time, money, motivation, experience and wisdom. However a critical element that may only be given by others is in short supply, namely, encouragement and support.

Our current airport commission will bring a change in management, but without sustainable reform to the culture the effect will only be transitory.

Don’t judge the airport commission, county commissions, or even the airport manager by their mistakes. Rather, evaluate them based on how promptly they recognize, respond, repair, and re-engage in a positive and productive manner.

It’s natural to be skeptical, but a repetition of the past is not our destiny. Being as vocal with praise for a job well done as those who have condemned the past will go a long way to brighten our future.

The recent focus has been on the outcomes of specific errors and omissions. Clearly these are important; however they pale within the larger, darker shadow of dysfunctional attitudes and behaviors.

The recently acclaimed Return on Character by Fred Kiel details how his survey of 84 Fortune 100 companies, 500 CEOs, and 8,000 employees documents the direct and striking relationship between how CEOs treat employees and relate to others, and the consequent success or failure of their companies.

The results of bad choices have both lingered and compounded. Secrets and suspicions have pervaded and disrupted both organizational and business relationships. Adversarial positioning producing apprehension and mistrust has been the norm with responsibility and accountability nearly absent. Thankfully these tides are turning.

“Lead, follow, or stand aside” seems appropriate here. Let’s get on with it.

Ted Stanley is a pilot who lives in West Tisbury.