BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Barksdale Air Force Base welcomed a key member of the Profession of Arms Center of Excellence, to kick off the Impact of the Human Element Seminar, here Feb. 16-18, 2016.
Lt. Col. Teresa Roberts, PACE director of operations, visit bases to encourage motivated individuals to become better people and in turn better leaders.
“If we can get a core group of individuals excited and energized about being better leaders, then the base will become a better place to work and to live,” Roberts said. “Not only will each unit reap the benefits of these motivated leaders, but anyone who moves to a new base will spread their knowledge and experience making the Air Force better as a whole.”
The PACE is an organization focused on strengthening and enhancing professionalism in Airmen, civilians and family members associated with the Air Force. The organization helps leaders bridge the gap between Air Force core values and the mission.
“It’s easy to get wrapped up in ourselves and being able to recognize everyone has their own load to carry can benefit everyone,” Roberts said. “One way to boost your communication skills is to understand what you say, how you say it and who you say it to.”
Learning to tailor communication to fit an audience can make a huge difference in how information is received, she added.
“How I speak with my eight-year-old versus how I speak with my 19-year-old, to my coworkers or to my 97-year-old grandmother, varies greatly,” Roberts said. “I can talk to each of them about the same exact topic but I have to completely change how I talk in order for there to be any meaningful result from the conversations.”
The PACE philosophy suggests that professionalism is built on three legs: commitment, loyalty and trust.
“Whatever relationship you might have, focusing on commitment, loyalty and trust can take it to a whole new level, one that is beyond your own selfish desires,” Roberts said. “Relationships without those characteristics, no matter professional or personal, will never be able to achieve all they can. They are critical to success.”
“I hope that I struck a chord with everyone who participated. You don’t need a master’s degree and you don’t have to be a commander. Anyone can make a difference in the little things.”
For more information on PACE, visit www.airman.af.mil.