Chief Horn discusses communication during Alabama Leadership Conference

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert
  • 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Horn, Air University command chief, addressed the importance of communication within an organization during the inaugural Alabama Leadership Conference hosted by Troy University’s Continuing Education program, May 12, 2016, Montgomery, Alabama.

The Alabama Leadership Conference invited approximately 130 business leaders and young professionals from across the state to learn how to develop leaders within their respective organizations from experienced leaders within the community.

Horn was invited to share his perspective of how to best communicate from a military standpoint.

“There is such a definite emphasis in the Air Force regarding leadership development and they are a part of our community.  Plus having the schools that are at Maxwell and Gunter made it seem like a good fit with what we’re trying to achieve here,” said Stephen Woerner, Alabama Leadership Conference planning committee member.

Horn’s presentation was titled, “Communicating Your Vision to All.” He discussed the importance of a vision and mission statement and how to make them encompasses the entire organization to enhance cohesion.

He explained that before a vision statement can be formed, there must be a foundation that combines the company’s core values and core purpose, these two things hold an organization together as it grows and changes. He used the Air Force’s core values, “integrity first, service before self, and Excellence in all that we do,” as an example.

“Organizations must change without compromising their core values or who they are. We have had our core values as long as our existence and as an organization I am proud to say that we have changed. We have stayed who we are, but we have progressed,” said Horn. 

Another method that brings the team together is the mission statement. Horn said that this is not meant to say who you are, but what you do. He focused on the Air Force’s mission statement, “Fly, Fight and Win in air, space and cyberspace,” he noted its deliberate inclusiveness and agreed that everyone in the Air Force can market themselves to this statement.

During his presentation, he also elaborated on the importance of ensuring the message is being conveyed from people on all levels of the organization.   

“Every member of an organization should be able to connect their day-to-day duties to that vision statement in some way, shape or form.  If that goal is achieved, that vision then creates a synergy throughout the organization.  That synergy will have a tangible, positive impact on productivity,” He said.