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AETC CC speaks to educators on effective leadership

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Paul Kilgallon
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, Commander, Air Education and Training Command, spoke to more than 25 educators on the characteristics of effective leadership during the Alamo Colleges Leadership Academy for Success seminar at the Palo Alto College Campus March 12.

General Lorenz was invited to speak at the ALAS class by Dr. Eric Reno, Northeast Lakeview College president.

During the "Lorenz on Leadership" presentation, General Lorenz gave the attendees his list of 12 leadership principals developed throughout his Air Force career.

"These leadership principals, based on our Air Force core values, I learned throughout the years, and I first started writing them down in 1988 when I was a squadron commander," General Lorenz said. "You are all leaders in this room or else you would not be here, so the issue is 'what are the things you are teaching your people, students or faculty, and why is being an effective leader important.'

"I want you to think about the principals that guide you, and what are the things you are teaching your people because that is what is important," he added

During the presentation, General Lorenz spoke about his life and some of the experiences he had that have helped him in the Air Force.

The general has commanded at many levels, and he said he has had a very blessed Air Force career, but the one thing that has made him successful is that he considers himself a servant leader.

"We have 88,000 in my command and not one of those people work for me ... I work for them," General Lorenz said.

One of the attendees said she is going to use some of the advice the general gave and apply it to her classroom environment.

Amanda Salinas, Palo Alto Community College Associate Professor of Accounting, said she has 26 people in her class and she used to struggle trying to list all the successes of the entire class at one time. However, after hearing General Lorenz's presentation on leadership, she is going to start looking at things differently by focusing more on the accomplishments of each individual rather than the class as a whole.

"I found the general's presentation very motivating and it was very inspirational to me," Ms. Salinas said. "I really liked what the general said about focusing on the success of one person every day."

At the end of his presentation, the general received a standing ovation and accolades from the attendees who were impressed with his presentation and thankful for the tips and advice he gave them.

"I felt the general's view on the principals of excellence is something that any leader can use," said Melissa Weathersby, Northeast Lakeview College Corporate Training and Continued Education director. "I liked the reference General Lorenz made that leaders should not develop a sense of entitlement and how they should value everyone's worth."

In 2007, the Alamo College District instituted ALAS to assist in development and enhancement of their education professionals by giving them the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of their organization.

A full archive of Lorenz on Leadership commentaries is availablehere.