Photo By Maj. Addie Leonhardt | Col. Eddie Williams, from Williams Consulting Group, talks to the 76th Operational...... read more read more
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By Master Sgt. Richard Lambert
76th ORC EPLO Senior Enlisted Leader
FORT DOUGLAS, Utah - “I am NOT a big fan of sitting in chairs. That has never pegged my fun meter,” said Maj. Gen. Daniel L. York, 76th Operation Response Command commanding general, of the Commanders Leadership training held at the Fort Douglas Museum in Salt Lake City, Sept. 13 and 14.
Baseball, barbecue, and a no cash Texas Hold’em tournament written into the operations order were in line with York’s guidance and vision during the training.
“This is not a conference, this is a leadership development training event,” said York, referencing the direction he wanted the training to go in.
Opening comments made by Command Sgt. Maj. Jamespeter Matthews, 76th ORC Division Command Sergeant Major mirrored York’s vision and direction.
“We are in the driver's seat as green tab leaders for these types of training events, which empower me to see the NCO'S train soldiers,” said Matthews.
“Training and leadership is what is going to power us through this environment that is constrained by funding,” said Matthews.
Utilization of the tenets of mission command was the key to success, according to Matthews.
“Mission command is the decentralization of command which will empower our NCO’s,” said Matthews, on his direction in accomplishing the mission with reduced funding.
Prioritization and basic leadership traits were also addressed.
“My top four priorities are Sharp, Suicide Prevention- life skills, manning the force, train the force and the readiness of the force,” said Matthews.
“Our action plans have to include the empowerment of all your leaders, which will provide the solution set to dwindling resources,” added Matthews.
“Coaching counseling and mentoring will make us successful with our young soldiers which is the face to face leadership our young soldiers expect.
Along with leading the Ethics training, York emphasized the Army values in all of his communication. He challenged each leader to define their system of ethics. Once done each leader must own it, study it, explain it to subordinates, teach it and finally hold themselves accountable to their system. York said, “Be accountable, trust your conscience, and fulfill your obligation to duty … or we will be an Army one day that doesn’t care,” said York.
“I need you to be very forthright and candid,” said York, of his desire to receive honest feedback during the training,” said York.
“Authenticity is proven by stress, let us see how you do when people are gunning for you,” said York, in his opening comments to his commanders and senior enlisted leaders. “When the going gets tough you want an encourager on your team,” York added.
Soldiers were reminded on the essentials of success. Soldiers were taught tips in the areas of motivation, leadership, and stress and resiliency management. Finally, the instructor, Mr. Eddie Williams, challenged 76 leaders to annually set their goals and objectives - both personally and professionally and then compare to the previous year.
Soldiers' five top strengths were analyzed and discussed during a Strength Finders workshop held during the training.
“I think strength finders are hot,” said York, in reference to this unique analysis of an individual’s talent.
“People do best when they are working within their strengths,” said York. “I want you to understand your strengths and model them,” said York. “Strengths help people deconflict issues,” added York.
Talent is a naturally recurring pattern of thought, feeling or behavior that can be productively applied, according to Lee Davis, Executive Director of Mentors 360, and a speaker on strengths finders during the training.
“Talent, plus skills, plus knowledge, plus use, equals strength,” said Davis.
The definition of strength was further clarified by Davis after soldiers received their chart indicating their strengths.
“Strength is consistent near perfect performance in an activity you love doing,” according to Davis.
Strength Finders is focused on what makes people successful, and not what makes them fail, according to Davis.
“Successful people understand their talents and strengths and build their lives upon them,” said Davis.
York also found power and value in the Strength Finders briefing.
“Strength finders offer a positive tool that gives me as a commander multiple advantages,” said York.
“First, it is always wise to emphasize strengths over weaknesses as people intuitively would rather work from where they are naturally talented or gifted,” said York.
Identifying soldiers' strengths, so as a command we can work on harnessing their strengths, is important, according to York.
“Ensuring our teams are best optimized. As much as possible we want to ensure people are assigned to jobs that make sense for their strengths and move them out of positions that don't make sense,” said York.
“For example, an analytical, deliberative person is not going to operate well in a position that requires constant creativity and change,” said York.
Conversely, a person strong in ideation and strategy might be frustrated if kept in a position that was routine, predictable and controlled, according to York.
Productivity, morale and Esprit de Corps are also impacted when soldiers work within their strengths, according to York.
“People enjoy sharing their strengths which has the effect of building morale, enthusiasm and better work in teams,” said York. “The accent is on what is positive instead of what is negative.”
Impact from the strengths and the knowledge of them would help in jobs that a soldier would do well, according to York.
“Armed with knowledge of what our soldiers strengths are gives us the advantage of mentoring, coaching them towards follow-on jobs that make sense. It also has the potential to impact the entire Army,” said York.
“Currently, the Army does not do this with its general officers and I suspect this results in some questionable assignments that end up not being good fits,” said York. “This could be alleviated by applying Strength Finders even at the most senior leaders,” added York.
Strength Finders would be a useful tool for all Army commands, according to York.
“By demonstrating the effectiveness of Strength Finders at my previous command, the 86th Training Division and now with the 76th ORC, we have the opportunity to share best business practices that make a difference,” said York, of the impact this unique training could add to the Army.
(By Master Sgt. Richard Lambert, 76th ORC EPLO Senior Enlisted Leader)
| Date Taken: | 09.13.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 09.20.2013 10:16 |
| Story ID: | 113971 |
| Location: | SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, US |
| Web Views: | 207 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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