To equip leaders in leading those necessary conversations, the Department of the Air Force developed a resource list on race-specific issues, unconscious bias, diversity and inclusion, among others. The list provides impactful information to facilitate listening sessions and build a foundation about diversity in organizations and American society, since both diversity and inclusion are important to mission success.
“We must arm our forces with the insights and perspectives of how they can first and foremost be empathetic leaders, and then through the use of that foundational leadership trait, leverage diverse personnel and an inclusive culture to innovate and be ready to combat our adversaries wherever they challenge us,” said Lt. Col. Angel Lugo, education and training chief, of the Air Force Diversity and Inclusion Division.
The department leadership and the Task Force received feedback from the field requesting additional resources for follow-on listening and sensing sessions. This resource list is the first of several tools being developed about diversity and inclusion for use by commanders, first sergeants, instructors, recruiters, and other Airmen and Space Professionals.
“This is only one step in what we intend to offer to leaders so they become more comfortable when discussing issues about race, diversity, inclusion and any other topic that may arise,” Dunn said. “These conversations help to build trust across the force.”
The resource list is available on the Air Force’s diversity webpage: https://www.af.mil/Diversity/
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