Christiansen has worked as an honorary commander at the Air University’s Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, for numerous years and is a motivational speaker and innovator of leadership practices.
“My portal into the Air Force was Col. Bill DeMarco,” Christiansen said. “We met at a leadership event in Atlanta, we stayed in touch, I wrote a book, then he wanted someone to speak at a graduation ceremony in (Royal Air Force) Mildenhall, (England), and I said “Seriously? Heck yea, that’s a winning combination.’”
DeMarco, the chair of the Department of Leadership at ACSC, and Christiansen began working together developing leadership strategies to focus on giving Airmen more attention and tools to be successful.
Leaders by Design is one of the concepts they helped create. It was made with the idea of helping oneself then helping others to create an environment where individuals enjoy working. It has been a project for almost nine years and was what allowed him to be an honorary professor.
“To me, the military is already this lean, mean, fighting machine, but maybe what this is about is about is preparing us for what could come in the next 10 years,” Christiansen said. “When the next generation comes into leadership, it will look different, as it needs to look different going forward. This isn’t a World War II military anymore.”
Christiansen gave two open lectures at the Columbus Club and noted he tailored the lectures to challenge people over 40 years old to listen to the younger generation and to push the younger generation to listen to those over 40.
“We are intentionally trying to give people the time to focus on cultivating leaders and Airmen,” said Lt. Col. Brian Benton, 14th Flying Training Wing chief of safety. “I think what we noticed through the assessment tool was we, as a force, are better at work than taking care of ourselves because we have the mentality of a no-fail mission.”
Benton mentioned how the no-fail mindset can cause individuals to approach issues without a level head, making the final product less desirable in comparison to someone who took a break and approached the issue with a critically thinking mind. Benton also said the leadership and mentorship Christiansen brought to Columbus AFB is something he thinks could help everyone in their daily lives, not only military members.
“Being healthy more than likely will create more health,” Christiansen said. “On the negative side, multiplying poor health creates more poor health. … Equip, train and inspire one person and the chances are they will do the same for someone else.”
Christiansen helped facilitate small group activities and created a dialogue about leadership with Airmen from across the base.
In between his lectures and small group sessions, he learned about the various units across Columbus AFB. During his second day at Columbus AFB, he flew with the 50th Flying Training Squadron, seeing exactly what military aviators go through.
To conclude his visit, he left everyone with three choices to think about.
“Do nothing, say you’ll do something, or actually do it,” Christiansen said. “Be that change in your life.”
| Date Taken: | 09.20.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 09.20.2018 17:34 |
| Story ID: | 293784 |
| Location: | COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, MS, US |
| Hometown: | MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, AL, US |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Christiansen brings different look on leadership to Columbus AFB, by SrA Keith Holcomb, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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