RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Over 40 Airmen came together with one common goal, to learn how to leverage negotiation, mediation and dispute resolution techniques to help fellow Airmen communicate through conflict and disputes, at the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Conference Center, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Dec. 3-5, 2019.
“This skillset is critical for our business—people. The ability to communicate and hold meaningful conversations with our Airmen and get beyond the simple surface issues to really understand the why and reasoning for their conflict, especially with the generational gaps, so we can be more effective getting the mission done.” said Master Sgt. William Crismon, USAFE-AFAFRICA first sergeant.
The three-day course offered first sergeants and other senior noncommissioned officers the fundamentals of negotiation and good questioning through lessons and role playing scenarios.
“While the focus for this course was mainly first sergeants, we wanted maximum participation and were able to get other leaders to fill seats and learn this critical skillset. This is great for all supervisors, anyone dealing with people, so conflicts can be handled efficiently with transparency, clarity, understanding and respect for each other.” said Crismon.
The class, facilitated by members of the Air Force Negotiation Center, the First Sergeant Academy and previous graduates of the course, was designed to empower leaders to resolve conflict at the lowest level possible and ultimately improve communication and prevent future disputes.
“The Air Force Negotiation Center, which is a part of Air University, was developed about ten years ago and was focused primarily on officers. Over the years, it grew and became training for both officers and enlisted Airmen.” said Mr. Paul Firman, Air Force Negotiation Center, chief of dispute resolution education and training.
Participants practiced giving open statements, facilitating conversations to encourage open dialogue and using questioning techniques to find reasons why complainants and respondents are in a dispute.
Senior Master Sgt. Calvin Smith, 703rd Munitions Support Squadron first sergeant from Volkel Air Base, Netherlands, and a participant in the class, oversees a large unit with over 24 career fields.
“This course has taught me ways to learn more about the Airmen, what their positions, interests and needs are. A lot of the time, you don’t know what the root cause of their issues are to be able to come up with better solutions for Airmen and their problems.” said Smith when asked about the importance of the course.
Third Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Randy Kwiatkowski also spoke during the course and emphasized on the importance of the Air Force family.
“We are an Air Force family and it takes all of us to raise our Airmen. First sergeants, SNCOs and front-line supervisors are the ones the Airmen go to in order to get help with their problems. As leaders, we have to be ready to help with what matters most, our people.” said Kwiatkowski.