Total Force Leadership Development seminar at Yokota Air Base

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Members of Team Yokota hosted the Total Force Leadership Development seminar Feb. 21, 2019. The course was designed to help encourage and grow not only airmen; but also officers, noncommissioned officers, senior noncommissioned officers and civilians.

The TFLD consists of specially-designed lessons led by facilitators, that mix commercial leadership tools with the Air Force core competencies and core values and is available for anyone on base who is looking to sharpen their skills and to become a better leader.

“My goal for TLFD is to make sure that we are giving the attendees something that they want,” said Jonathan Nelson, TFLD seminar facilitator. “We provide a forum where you can come in and you can hear what other people have to say about leadership, gain some new perspective and maybe some new tools for your leadership toolbox.”

The materials covered during the seminar included various topics such as: generation gaps, emotional intelligence, time management and follower development. These discussions are facilitated by the instructors to emphasize how the concepts covered can be related and translated to aspects of daily life.

“I think what makes our TLFD as good as it is, is that we all recognize that there is no silver bullet to being a leader,” said Senior Master Sgt. Nicholas Scott, TLDF seminar facilitator. “In this seminar we have officers, SNCOs, NCOs, airmen, civilian employees and spouses, so we are able to draw from their experiences. It’s outstanding being able to learn and get different perspectives.”

According to Nelson, the opportunity to lead can happen at any time and preparing yourself for it is something everyone should do.

“You don’t have to wait to lead,” said Nelson. “You will be given leadership opportunities with challenges, they are going to come fast and they are going to come hard. You don’t have to hesitate, you can absolutely step up and be a leader to different people at different levels throughout your career. You can lead right now.”

For those interested in leading and becoming a better leader, the TFLD program has courses once a month at Yokota’s Personal Development Center.

“Professional development and growth is a personal thing that I care about,” said Scott. “The intent is that if we are going to improve someone as a person, they are going to be a better Airman, Sailor, Marine, Soldier and all around person. If something peaks their interest and they want to have it, absolutely come on out and we will learn together.”

The next TLFD seminar will be on the topic of toxic leadership and toxic followership, starting March 22, to register contact the PDC at DSN: 315-225-7829.