June 28th - 29th the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center hosted the Air Force Sustainment Center’s (AFSC) "Art of the Possible" (AoP) 201/402 Leadership Behaviors Course (presented by representatives from Tinker Air Force Base). The two-day training course was held in the Headquarters building from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on both days. The 201 portion of the course is introductory for all participants and represents a universal set of best practice standards, slowly leading to a better way of doing business. The 402 portion of the course is dedicated to high-level leadership to explore the many untapped opportunities to improve entire business operations across the Aeronautical Center. It focuses on the key behaviors needed by MMAC leaders to drive continued AoP success. The course consists of seminar style instruction lead by AoP subject matter experts and interactive applications. To truly realize the program’s potential requires a multi-year training investment.
AoP is a constraints-based management system designed to create an environment for success by creating a culture of problem-solvers, defining processes, eliminating constraints, and continuously improving. It is the cornerstone of how the AFSC operates and is the foundation upon which they build future success in achieving an organization without limits; it is an AFSC way of doing business. After hearing the excitement that our participants in the AFSC/FAA Leadership Exchange Program expressed about the AoP concept, Aeronautical Center leadership believes that this best practice would be beneficial to implement Center-wide.
The AoP 402 course focused on key behaviors needed by MMAC leaders to drive continued AoP success. The course consists of seminar style instruction led by AoP subject matter experts and interactive applications. The instructors noted that they have presented this program to a wide variety of federal and military audiences and that the Aeronautical Center audience was one of the most engaged groups that they’ve ever taught! One manager at the Center expressed to leadership that their organization needed more of this kind of training. Many of the ’spot on’ questions caught the vision of several participants, which prompted them to want more in-depth training.
The AoP training centers around improving processes, streamlining work and efficiencies, and removing roadblocks. It provides a roadmap to implement change. The organizations at the Center are not broken and do not need fixing; rather, this training incorporates a better way of doing business by providing a proven leadership model and work methodology with intentions of continuous improvement.
The philosophy behind this training represents the future of the MMAC and requires a long process to bring these principles to maturity. This singular training session represents a starting point in our journey. It will assist us as we face challenges, giving us a ’playbook’ to operate with consistency, using one transparent voice. As stakeholders and practitioners, we can embrace these challenges together and face constraints and begin to implement change. The training reinforces a tearing-down-silos approach to work.
The AoP embodies a much larger initiative that will last for years. Training will continue into the future. We began with value stream mapping which includes the work we do now. We will begin to look at what needs improving and looking at those areas where work can be reduced and constraints removed.
The progression of this training journey is just beginning. Every organization stands to benefit from the tools, methodologies, and developments discovered and implemented along this journey.
For more information about the "Art of the Possible" training, please contact Kim Sheppard or Justin Cockroft.
