For Tempest’s Alona Thompson, XBO was a leadership event unlike any other for three reasons: connection, perspective, and energy.
As a project manager at Tempest Technologies, Alona Thompson was already asking smart questions, looking for better ways to serve clients, and thinking about what it really means to lead.
When a trusted colleague recommended that she attend NSCA’s Excellence in Business Operations (XBO) Experience, Thompson was curious about what she might learn. When she realized she qualified for a Jeff M. Kindig Future Leaders Scholarship, an opportunity made possible by the NSCA Education Foundation, she knew she was ready to connect with and learn alongside other rising leaders in commercial integration.
“This scholarship filled me with motivation and a sense of responsibility to give my best, work hard, and prove that the trust placed in me is not misplaced,” says Thompson. “My goal is to become a leader who leads with empathy and purpose, supports others, shares knowledge openly, and encourages new minds to join this industry.”
How Leadership Looks Different After Attending XBO
Having valuable tools she could bring back to her role once XBO was over was one of the biggest benefits of the event for Thompson.
For instance, the Three What Method, shared by Texadia Systems’ Dawna Payne, gave her a structure to help debrief challenges. Focus on:
- What happened
- What was learned
- What will be done differently next time
That way, lessons aren’t lost in the rush of the next deadline.
Insperity’s Sonya White shared the idea that trust and openness allow teams to thrive. “That vulnerability is not weakness but strength,” says Thompson.
Bit by bit, the concepts and frameworks she learned are shaping the kind of leader she wants to be.
Why XBO Stood Out
For Thompson, XBO was a leadership event unlike any other for three reasons: connection, perspective, and energy.
1. Connection
Networking time quickly became one of the most valuable parts of Thompson’s XBO experience. Meeting integrators, leaders, and peers from all corners of the industry let her step outside her day‑to‑day world at Tempest to see how others structure their teams, serve clients, and navigate constant change. Those conversations gave her a clearer sense of where she fits in the broader integration ecosystem and how her work contributes to something bigger than a single project or jobsite.
2. Perspective
Hearing directly from founders, CEOs, and seasoned leaders changed how she thinks about leadership. She was reminded that leadership is about revenue, utilization, and backlog, of course, but also about the families behind every employee and the long‑term impact of decisions.
3. Energy
Instead of finding a competition or cutthroat environment, she found a room full of contagious optimism: people openly sharing what works, being honest about what doesn’t, and encouraging one another to keep pushing the industry forward. “Everyone I met was open and full of excitement for what’s ahead. It was impossible not to feel inspired and uplifted by the sense of community that filled every room.”
A New Definition of Leadership
Thompson left with a new understanding of leadership: It begins with a decision to take responsibility, act, and move forward.
“As one speaker said, ‘It starts with a simple phrase: “I intend to … ” ’ From there, accountability and progress follow naturally.”
The Jeff M. Kindig Future Leaders Scholarship gave her the chance to experience XBO, and Thompson wants to make sure others take advantage of this opportunity from the NSCA Education Foundation. “It’s an investment in your growth. From learning about new technologies and industry trends to connecting with inspiring leaders and peers, this experience will challenge, energize, and empower you at every stage of your career.”
