LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Laughlin AFB Top 3 organization hosted a base-wide leadership summit on May 22 at XL Landings. The purpose of the biannual summit is to enhance leadership competencies amongst Laughlin leaders through open discussion and critical thinking.
The summit kicked off with opening comments by base leadership, a judge advocate general brief, and an icebreaker bingo activity. The afternoon featured managing discipline and resiliency scenarios followed by a senior leader panel and closing comments from enlisted leadership.
“We are here today to expose you to leadership situations that make you think critically,” said Chief Master Sgt. Lester Largaespada, 47th Flying Training Wing (FTW) command chief. “Remember there are always leadership teams behind discipline decisions and to utilize your leadership triad.”
The scenarios prompted open and honest discussions to real-life situations where the leadership triads (commanders, senior enlisted leaders, and first sergeants) work together to solve Airmen issues.
“As a leader, focus on clarity, know that trust is your currency, and use speed as a weapon,” said Col. Tyler Ellison, 47th FTW commander. “You have to get comfortable operating in gray space and ambiguity in leadership roles.”
Ellison charged all attendees to apply the leadership tenants he mentioned to everyday work life situations.
The event featured small group discussions followed by full group discussions around realistic leadership scenarios.
Airmen volunteers from the Top 3 and Company Grade Officer Council helped facilitate discussions through analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting information to form sound decisions.
Organizers of the summit aim to hold the event every six months for Laughlin total force Airmen to attend.