TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Twenty-six senior leaders from Air Forces Northern attended a two-day leadership conference aimed at enhancing their leadership skills through self assessment.

The Air National Guard Leadership Challenge Program, which was held Feb. 3-4 in downtown Panama City, was hosted by the TSM Corporation out of Bartlett, Tenn. The company bills the LCP as a unique, integrated use of multiple, proven psychological instruments to afford participants with a comprehensive look at themselves as leaders, allowing them to better understand how they and others operate.

Throughout the course of the program, participants focused on typical leadership challenges such as conflict, change and personality differences. They learned how to deal with these different scenarios through self assessments, group discussions and activities.

The highlight of the program was the '360 Assessment.' LCP attendees gave these assessments to their bosses, their subordinates and their peers, asking them to evaluate how effective they are as a leader. This gives the senior leaders a 360 degree perspective of themselves.

During the LCP, attendees wore civilian clothes instead of their uniforms, allowing for a more brain-storming environment without the pressure of 'rank' overriding input from participants. The program managers of the program insist on the attire because it makes the atmosphere more comfortable and relaxed.

"Events like this give AFNORTH leaders a chance to reconnect with their peers and witness different approaches to leadership," said Maj. Gen. Garry C. Dean, AFNORTH commander. "It also gives my senior officers the opportunity to evaluate their own leadership styles. I'm excited about what they will take away from the seminar and see them put what they learned into action."