Personal Leadership Development Plan (Page 2 of 5) in pdf

PART I: PERSONAL VALUES

Innovative expertise is essential in today’s constantly changing environment. While expertise

provides the exact right answer to a previously seen problem, innovative expertise gives the

cognitive flexibility to meet new challenges and find more efficient ways to solve current

problems. I pride myself on my ability to adapt and overcome both as a leader and as a follower.

Moral courage in the face of adversity paves the way for the rest of my personal values. It’s the

foundation on which we can get the mission completed the right way at the right time. It is also

the foundation of trust amongst my peers, my subordinates, and myself. A strong moral compass

and a truthful tongue can solve the biggest of problems.

A focus on mission success may seem to be an obvious value when it comes to leadership, but I

think it deserves specific consideration. All the hard work in the world is meaningless if the goal

is not met or the task is left undone. This is also the fine line between doing what is asked and

doing what is needed. We must always strive to look beyond the task at hand and make sure what

we do paves the way for both current and future success.

Loyal dissent is a concept borrowed from my last wing commander, Col. Mark August. It is a

value in both my subordinates and myself. The concept of loyal dissent is voicing concerns and

trepidations with the sole intent of the betterment of the organization. By encouraging loyal

dissent, I can create an atmosphere where purpose and principle are set ahead of egos and even

careers. It allows problems to be solved before the become too big to handle at the lowest level

and keeps my subordinates engaged in the task at hand, giving them ownership of the process.

Professional development in both skills knowledge and managerial knowledge cannot be

understated. Stagnation is the death morale and productivity. Continuous learning and

development can lead to fresh, new ideas and possibilities. In Public Affairs, this is especially

true because market trends and public opinion are constantly shifting. Only through research and

development can a PA professional adapt to those shifts and communicate the Air Force story

effectively.

Personal Leadership Development Plan Page 2