258 - Community-based Education Supporting Community-based Enterprise with Colonel Walter Holmes
Feb 27, 2024
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Colonel Walt Holmes shares insights on community-based education, gamified approach to change, and leading groups effectively. Learn about fostering teamwork, accountability, and empowerment in military units. Explore the impact of collaborative problem-solving and empowering students through community-based education.
Implementing structure and autonomy can transform organizations, fostering collaboration and individual growth.
Community-based education empowers students to drive change, promoting teamwork and personalized growth models.
Creating clear roles and communication enhances team performance, emphasizing skill development over job titles for objective evaluations.
Deep dives
Creating a Collaborative Environment in the Military
In the podcast episode, Colonel Walt discusses his experience in the Air Force during the 1990s when the military transitioned to total quality management. He emphasizes the shift from a top-down command structure to collaborative problem-solving where soldiers worked in teams. Walt's role as a facilitator involved defining objectives and empowering soldiers to work together to solve problems, marking a cultural change within the military.
Implementing a Team-Based Approach in Education
Colonel Walt highlights the implementation of total quality management and human resource development in the Air Force, which led to significant changes in creating team-oriented environments. The shift towards recognizing individual contributions, equal opportunities for progress, and creating a cohesive work environment resulted in remarkable transformations. Walt applied similar principles to turn around a poorly performing Air Force Reserve unit, emphasizing the importance of creating an inclusive and collaborative setting.
Transitioning Education to Community-Based Systems
The discussion extends to community-based education systems and sustainable development projects involving students. Colonel Walt underscores the significance of moving away from standardized testing to personalized growth models in education. By focusing on specific skill sets and promoting teamwork, students are empowered to drive change within their communities, fostering a sense of responsibility and collaboration. The approach aligns with creating structures that motivate and empower individuals to contribute meaningfully to their environments.
Creating Clarity and Transparency in Work Environments
Creating structure and clarity in work environments can significantly enhance team performance and job satisfaction. By clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and expectations, teams can operate more efficiently and achieve better results. A key aspect is the concept of Systemics, which focuses on developing professional skill sets and quantifying problem-solving abilities, leading to objective evaluations based on skills rather than job titles. Implementing clear communication and transparent processes can lead to increased productivity and create a more motivated workforce.
Empowering Communities through Sustainable Development Goals
Empowering communities through education and sustainable development goals can have a profound impact on society. By aligning local projects with the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals, communities can work towards common objectives and make tangible progress in areas such as water purification, safety, and education. Utilizing a web-based platform to coordinate and track projects allows individuals to contribute meaningfully and fosters a sense of ownership and purpose. By focusing on skill development, social skills, and professional conduct, communities can create a culture of continuous learning and growth, ensuring a brighter future for all members.
Can I get your attention? Because this week, I have none other than Colonel Walt Holmes with me on the show, Air Force Commander, author, and master facilitator of community-based education.
Walt has been helping individuals to progress through the ranks of military units – and of life – since the 1999s, designing the systems for success in both soldiers and students. His 5 levels of achievement offers a unique gamified approach to change: encouraging meaningful metric-based accountability, collaboration and autonomy in his squadron of students. His belief: if we can impact someone’s behaviour, we can change their attitude.
Walt’s passion is undeniable - it radiates through the airwaves of our conversation and I’m positive you will feel it too! Tune in to learn all about community, attitude, behaviour and the cogs of organisational change.
Find out about:
Learnings from Walt’s military career as a cultural change facilitator
What it takes to change an entire organisation through the introduction of structure, autonomy and collaboration
Why the success to community-based education lies in a marriage of individual outcomes and metrics
The inner-workings of community models: why people taking ownership creates a system that is self-enforcing
What Walt’s book ‘Lead From The Middle, Lead From Behind’ can teach us about leading groups in disarray
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