Squadron adopts brown bag approach to professional development

Published May 30, 2013
By Dana Lineback
940th Wing Public Affairs

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Air Force reservists often bring a wealth of experience from their civilian jobs to the military mission.

When Lt. Col. Leslie Beavers took command of the 50th Intelligence Squadron at Beale AFB in March 2012, she decided a professional development program she had experienced in her civilian occupation would be a worthwhile focus for her unit.

"The program taught me to think more strategically and to focus my efforts on developing skills that would continually increase the value I brought to the organization," Beavers said.

"These are the skills that ultimately made me successful in my interview process to become a squadron commander," she said. "I knew these same skills would benefit my squadron in both their military and civilian careers."

Enlisting the help of two of her staff, Maj. David Roberts and Senior Master Sgt. Norman O'Brien, Beavers instituted the squadron's "Brown Bag Leadership" program. Its goal is to give reservists assigned to the unit an opportunity to learn from each other and, in the process, discover more about themselves as leaders.

For O'Brien, the program has become a passion.

"There are a lot of smart guys out there who know the technical aspect of their job, but they don't know what they need to do to get further in their careers," O'Brien said. "And there are too many people in the role of leaders who just don't understand the concept of it.

"This program is about equipping people with the tools they need to be good leaders. This professional development opportunity can provide today's junior enlisted member with the leadership skills needed to become an outstanding senior NCO," O'Brien said.

The program resembles a book club rather than a military professional development course.

Participants form reading groups and select relevant books to read from a list of current professional development publications. Then, each month during the squadron's Unit Training Assembly, the group meets for a "brown bag" lunch to discuss the book.

"We're not studying these books," O'Brien emphasized. "We pick a book, read it, then get together to talk about it."

As their first reading selection, the officers' brown bag program chose "Strengths Based Leadership" by Tom Rath.

"We all have blinders on with regard to what we think our strengths are and how we're perceived by others," Beavers said. "This book helped each of us take a critical look at ourselves and the comparative strengths that exist within our team."

Fifteen senior NCOs from the squadron formed a group and also chose "Strengths Based Leadership" as their initial reading.

"We all have different leadership styles," O'Brien said. "This book gave us an opportunity to take an intimate look at our own leadership traits and to closely examine the methods of other leaders. I believe the more styles you're exposed to, the better leader you will be."

The next topic O'Brien's group will tackle is how to make better decisions. The group will read Spencer Johnson's "Yes or No: The Guide to Better Decisions."

Beavers is proud that the popularity of the brown bag program has spread to the junior enlisted members of her squadron. Earlier this year, the Airmen began reading "The 360-degree Leader" by John C. Maxwell.

"Their primary challenge at this stage in their career is to lead without positional authority. This group's discussion is focusing on empowering them now and preparing them for leadership positions in the future," Beavers said.

In addition to the reading groups, the "Brown Bag" program features guest speakers to discuss professional development topics. Retired U.S. Marine Corps Assistant Commandant Gen. Richard D. Hearney and Chief Master Sgt. George Bradley, Air Force Reserve Command intelligence functional area manager, have both hosted discussions with program participants.

Beavers said listening to the younger enlisted folks discussing these books and talking about what they've learned is the best part of the program for her.

"It's very beneficial to have this insight into individuals whose careers you're helping to guide, and it's been useful in filling certain positions in the squadron with the right applicant, too," Beavers said. "Besides, I learn a lot myself when I read these books and listen to the speakers."

O'Brien has observed another benefit to the squadron's "Brown Bag" professional development program.

"Our squadron is composed of two distinct flights. Before, problems were handled strictly within the flight. Since the start of the Brown Bag program, I've noticed our members are more open to advice from someone from the other flight. We solve problems as a team now.

"I think this approach to professional development would be beneficial across the wing, our command, and even the entire Air Force," he said.