Air Force Leadership

General Norton A. Schwartz,

Former CSAF

“Leaders do not abruptly appear fully developed and ready to perform. A growth period must occur to allow young leaders time to mature into the responsibilities required of senior institutional leader and commanders.”

• Air Force Doctrine Volume II—Leadership

• Foundational Doctrine Statements

• Fundamental Elements of Air Force Leadership

• Components of Air Force Leadership

Overview

• Purpose - Establish doctrinal guidance for leadership and force development

• Application (Total Force)– Active Duty– Air Force Reserve– Air National Guard– Civilians

Air Force Doctrine Volume II—Leadership

• Scope

– Baseline for all Air Force leaders

– Essential for mission success

– Describes the proper use of air and space forces in military operations

– Guide to exercise professional judgment rather than a set of inflexible rules

Air Force Doctrine Volume II—Leadership

• Leadership is the art and science of motivating, influencing, and directing Airmen to understand and accomplish the Air Force mission

• Leadership does not equal command, but ALL commanders should be leaders

• Air Force ethic consists of three fundamental and enduring values: Integrity, Service, and Excellence

Foundational Doctrine Statements

• Abilities of a leader can be improved through deliberate use of force development, built from education, training, and experience.

Can someone be a born leader?

Foundational Doctrine Statements

Elements of AF Leadership

• Mission – Objective or task to be accomplished

• Airmen – Execute and accomplish the mission

Elements of AF Leadership

• Mission – Why we are here!– Primary Task– Motivate, influence, and

direct people to carry out the mission

Elements of AF Leadership

• Airmen – Heart of the organization– Perform the mission– Leader must care for, support, and

develop people– Never forget the importance of

“Airmen” (Total Force)

• Any Air Force member can be a leader and can positively influence others

• Vast majority of Air Force leaders are not commanders

• Members simultaneously serve as both leaders and followers at every level of the Air Force

Elements of AF Leadership

Elements of AF Leadership

Effective leadership transforms human potential into effective performance in the present and prepares capable leaders for the future.

• Institutional Competencies– Qualities coupled with occupational skill sets that

Air Force leaders develop as they progress along levels of increased responsibility

Components of AF Leadership

Components of AF Leadership

Leadership Levels and Competencies

• Institutional Competencies– Personal Leadership – Face-to-face,

interpersonal relations that directly influence human behavior and values

– People/Team Leadership – Interpersonal and team building relationships that create a healthy climate

– Organizational Leadership – Establishing structure, allocating resources, and articulating strategic vision

Components of AF Leadership

• Personal Leadership Competencies

– Embodies Airman Culture

• Ethical Leadership

• Followership

• Warrior Ethos

• Develops Self

Components of AF Leadership

• Personal Leadership Competencies

– Communicating

• Speaking and Writing

• Active Listening

Components of AF Leadership

• People/Team Competencies– Leading People• Develops and Inspires Others

• Takes Care of People

• Fosters Diversity

– Fostering Collaborative Relationships• Builds Teams and Coalitions

• Negotiating

Components of AF Leadership

• Organizational– Employing Military Capabilities• Operational and Strategic Art• Leverage Technology• Unit, Air Force, Joint, and Coalition Capabilities• Non-adversarial Crisis Response

– Enterprise Perspective• Enterprise Structure and Relationships• Government Organization and Processes• Global, Regional, and Cultural Awareness• Strategic Communication

Components of AF Leadership

• Organizational– Managing Organizations and Resources• Resource Stewardship• Change Management• Continuous Improvement

– Strategic Thinking• Vision• Decision-Making• Adaptability

Components of AF Leadership

• Leadership Actions – Decisive actions leaders use to influence and improve their units in order to accomplish their military mission– Influence• Communication• Motivation• Standards• Decisiveness

– Improve Development and Learning– Accomplish - Enhanced by influence &

improvement

Components of AF Leadership

• Air Force Doctrine Volume II—Leadership

• Foundational Doctrine Statements

• Fundamental Elements of Air Force Leadership

• Components of Air Force Leadership

Summary

General John P. Jumper Former CSAF

“We intend to develop leaders who motivate teams, mentor subordinates, and train successors.”