Emergent Leadership Concepts

Module 7 is centered around leadership’s ability to influence subordinate behaviors. We are tasked as leaders to develop our subordinates so that they are ready for future leadership roles. This involves discipline, honing full range leadership skills, effective communication, and the ability to positively affect others. For these reasons, I believe Wingman Concept discussed in Emergent Leadership Issues is the most valuable lesson principle from module 7. The Wingman Concept stems from the flying community, as lead pilots would never lose his or her wingman (Course 15). Metaphorically, this same relationship exists between the leader (pilot) and the follower (wingman). Now that I have established what the Wingman Concept is all about, let’s explore why I feel this is important.
As the lead pilot never loses his or her wingman, we too must never lose sight of our leader or follower.
We have a unique opportunity in the Air Force where we groom our future leaders and cultivate the culture for tomorrow’s Airmen today. To influence subordinate behavior, we as leaders must engage with our subordinates and build relationships where trust and commitment can thrive. Your wingman looks after you, they protect you, both things that we as Non-commissioned Officers (NCOs) and Senior Non-commissioned Officers (SNCOs) are charged to do. A lot of the issues that we face in our Air Force today stems from the lack of application from the Wingman Concept. We have to move this concept beyond mere words, beyond theory. As emerging issues press our Air Force, it is our responsibility to apply the wingman concept and take an active approach to not only being a there to protect our airmen, but to also hold them accountability and responsible, to influence their behavior based on the wingman concept. This can be a matter of life and death and one life loss is one life too many. This also why I plan to enhance my efforts as a wingman upon return to my home
station
I supervise 6 Airmen and 3 civilians in my work center. Our office currently operates with the wingman concept in mind but I plan to increase my engagement with my subordinates outside of normal counseling and feedback channels. This means going deeper into their interests, hobbies, and career goals. I must further the trust and commitment that we have already established so that we continue to thrive within our mission, but more importantly, to promote an environment where everyone feels comfortable speaking up when things are not going well and when they notice issues amongst one another. While these issues will vary, I want to ensure that my work center is sound on our behavior and embody the Wingman Concept. I will work to be certain every one of my Airmen have an identified wingman and that their wingman takes that roles very serious.