Kadena's command chief hosts monthly lunch-and-learn for personnel, families

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zackary A. Henry
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
07/17/2015 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan - --  Kadena's 18th Wing command chief sat down to speak with Airmen of all ranks, civilians and local nationals to discuss hot topic questions at the McDaniel Center on July 16.

This month, Hoffman focused on positive leadership from all levels, supervisor-to-mentor and peer-to-peer. Each month he will have a different topic of discussion to cover as many topics as possible.

"The idea is to pass on ideas and thoughts I have about leadership," Hoffman said. "It is experience I have gained and pass on."

Airman 1st Class Charisma Johnson, 18th Maintenance Group administrator, was one of the Airman in attendance.

"I believe this lunch-and-learn was very beneficial," Johnson explained. "And to take his time out of his day to give us tips on how to improve on different aspects we encounter is a great opportunity."

Hoffman asked the Airmen in attendance if they led from the front, a common question asked, but he used that as a jumping point.

"It's a monkey-see, monkey-do kind of thing," Hoffman explained. "You have to be a good leader to make good Airmen. Who am I to fail a physical training test, then turn around and ask you to pass it? If I want you to pass it, I should too. That goes for anything."

Hoffman went on to explain a few of his other philosophies on leadership such as, "I'm okay, you're okay," which explained the idea of remembering we are all equal. Everyone has value and undervaluing yourself or someone else can be detrimental to progress.
At the end of the lunch-and-learn, Hoffman asked his audience if anyone had questions he didn't answer to ensure all of the Airmen took away great information.
One question asked was why he took the time to do these meetings.

"Early in my career, I saw chiefs like unicorns," Hoffman explained. "I had heard about them but never saw any of them. I wanted to change that and give back to the Airmen - be a hands-on chief," he said.

He also set a challenge for the many Airmen in attendance for them to keep in mind as they went on with their careers and lives.

"When things go badly, I challenge you to own it and to learn from it."

Before leaving, Hoffman explained that of all the things he could be doing as the highest enlisted Airman on Kadena Air Base, this opportunity to speak with the Airmen was an hour well spent.

For more information on the chief's lunch-and-learn, call the First Term Airman Center at 634-7481.