JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Flight commanders in the 435th Fighter Training Squadron met
the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and requirements last
month at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.
The 435th FTS invited Lt. Gen. James M. Holmes to discuss
the role of strategy in leadership. Holmes’ Air Staff A5/8 develops strategy
and he thinks that shaping our future force is vital.
“As Airmen, we need to examine our environment and determine
if there are more efficient structures that could be implemented to facilitate
mission accomplishment,” Holmes said.
While Holmes’ focus is on the whole Air Force, there were
lessons for individuals within the leadership example he discussed.
“Rather than
accepting the way things are now, we should question why things are the way
they are and look for opportunities to try something different and see if there
are successes to be had or efficiencies to be realized,” Holmes said.
Holmes said that the Air Force must be willing to constantly
improve its thought process and leadership techniques.
“After shaping the force, the ability to seek change and
innovation is crucial to sound strategy for the future success of the Air Force
and individual leadership vision,” Holmes said. “In developing a leadership
strategy Airmen must look at the current methods and practices and attempt to
identify areas that can be innovated or otherwise improved upon.
“The ability to reimagine the manner in which we accomplish
our individual missions and the tools, technology, or processes we use to
accomplish them should also be looked at with a critical eye,” Holmes said.
“The easiest way to find areas to improve is to ask the question, ‘why.’”
“The key to this is not only asking why, but also
implementing adjustments and changes to see if there is improvement. Finally, the ability to rapidly respond to
the demands of our environment is a crucial innovation,” Holmes said.
Holmes gave the “Deadly Black Eagles” three questions to
consider as part of strategic, day-to-day leadership.
He said, “ask yourself how good at your job can you become
in the current environment; what can you fix, do, or change to make yourselves
and those around you better at our job; and how do you instill this desire to
succeed in peers or students you come into contact with.”
Holmes challenged the 435th FTS to focus on finding people
dedicated to being good at what they do and not people who are only dedicated
to looking good all of the time.
“The visit from Lt. Gen. Holmes was very enlightening,” said
Lt. Col. John Platt, 435th FTS flight commander.
“He reminded Airmen not to get mired in daily tactical level
tasks and he challenged us to shape our force by embracing change and
innovation. He encouraged us to develop strategic leadership habits that help
bolster our overall approach to leadership, ensure mission accomplishment, and
sustain the longevity of our force,” Platt said.