Leadership Connect Kick-off

  • Published
  • By Airman Austin Salazar
  • 48th FIghter Wing Public Affairs

RAF Lakenheath kicked-off its second year of Leadership Connect on Sept. 23, 2022, at Norwich City Football Club. Leadership Connect is a development program bringing together influential community leaders from various backgrounds in East Anglia, in an effort to share their unique leadership insights with a select group of USAF leaders from UK-based wings.

The program officially launched on Oct. 6, 2021. This year, the class comprises of field grade officers, senior non-commissioned officers, and their civilian counterparts. To enhance partnerships, the 2022-2023 program welcomes representatives from RAF Honington, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, and the Norfolk Constabulary, who will share their experiences with the U.S. Visiting Forces class members.

“This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for class members to gain new leadership insights from UK leaders across a variety of organizations,” said Brig. Gen. Joseph Campo, 48th Fighter Wing Commander. “I look forward to seeing class members apply the broader leadership perspectives they gain, to enhance the organizations they lead across all USAF wings!"

Program participants who had the opportunity to visit NCFC were able to speak with specialists outside their career fields and exchange ideas on ways to become more effective leaders within their organizations. The majority of topics discussed were centered around decision-making, cognitive thinking, and data and innovation. Organizers and participants alike found the networking opportunity to be highly beneficial.

“The Leadership Connect program proved to be so successful, enjoyable, and beneficial for everyone involved, and it certainly proved invaluable to us in terms of the knowledge that we acquired through the sharing of information and opinions across such a wide range of relevant topics,” said Neil Adams, assistant sporting director at Norwich City Football Club.

The next “connect day” is slated for Downing College Cambridge on Oct. 21, 2022. Participating leaders will continue the program with one visit per month to various locations at government establishments, academic institutions, and local emergency services headquarters, culminating with a graduation ceremony, scheduled in May 2023.