For decades, The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute has helped develop leaders across government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector. Whether preparing emerging leaders or experienced executives, its work has centered on equipping people to navigate complexity, communicate effectively and make sound decisions when the path forward is not always clear. That experience is now being brought to one of the nation's largest military commands. 

Headquarters Air Combat Command has partnered with The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute (GEHLI) at Virginia Commonwealth University's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs to provide customized leadership development for Air Force officers and enlisted personnel at Langley Air Force Base.

Over the coming months, GEHLI faculty will facilitate customized programs for three groups: company-grade officers, noncommissioned officers and senior enlisted leaders. Each curriculum has been tailored to the responsibilities and challenges participants face at different stages of military service, with an emphasis on strengthening critical thinking, communication and decision-making.

That work began well before the first session. GEHLI collaborated with Air Combat Command leaders to identify the learning objectives for each audience and design interactive programs centered on the real-world challenges participants encounter in their work. The effort also draws on leadership expertise from across the Wilder School's Centers and Institutes, with Nancy Calkins, Karen Meister and Dwayne Whitehead leading the instructional team.

"We're honored to partner with Air Combat Command," said Gina Barber, director of administration and senior consultant for the Wilder School's Centers and Institutes. “The military has a strong tradition of leadership development, and we're grateful for the opportunity to contribute to that work. Leadership training is for everyone, and we enjoy partnering with organizations that are committed to continually investing in their people." 

Air Force personnel receive extensive technical and operational training throughout their careers. GEHLI complements that training by helping leaders develop the habits of mind needed when situations fall outside established procedures.

"Critical thinking requires an interruption of your normal patterns," said Nancy Calkins, senior training facilitator at GEHLI. "It's about being conscious and intentional in how you approach a problem. We provide strategies to leaders so they are able to disrupt their 'auto-pilot' and conditioned thought processes to achieve better outcomes." 

For the Wilder School, the partnership reflects its broader mission of preparing leaders for public service and its appreciation for organizations like Air Combat Command that continue investing in leadership at every level.