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Reverse mentoring: senior leaders gain insight into the next generation

  • Published
  • By A1C Rachel Simones
  • 178th Wing Public Affairs
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio --  The 178th Wing 20/20 Sabers Council hosted a reverse mentoring event at Springfield Air National Guard Base< Ohio , Nov. 6.

Reverse mentoring allows the younger Airmen of 178th Wing to communicate their values and insight to senior leadership.

"By using this style of mentoring, we hope to provide a bridge-builder between our generations; improving overall communication, balance and trust within the wing," said Master Sgt. Andrea Fisher, 178th Wing Staff.

The 20/20 Sabers Council hosted its second mentoring event to improve communication between Airmen and leadership, and to create cohesiveness within the wing.

The Airmen separated into five groups, with a group chief and a group commander present at each table.

"It's all about sharing thoughts, raising questions, and gaining understanding of each other," said Fisher.

Student flight members, a group of citizens who have sworn an oath to serve but are awaiting basic military training, also participated in the mentoring event to provide the millennial perspective.

"We hope that this event will help us senior leaders to better understand and communicate with the younger group of Airmen," said Col. John Knabel, the 178th Wing commander.

The Airmen discussed the importance of technology, communication and retention during the mentoring event.

"We've been given the chance to show the more experienced people in our career field what we think," said Adam Mays, a member of the 178th Wing Student Flight. "It's admirable that our leadership tries to reach out to even the lowest among us to better relate to what we're feeling,"