Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) Supportability Manager, Billy Stewart, will participate in the Duke Leadership Program at the Fuqua School of Business in Durham, N.C., starting June 10.
He currently serves in the NSWC PHD Ship Defense and Expeditionary Warfare Department’s Modernization and Installation Division.
The week-long program provides an opportunity to “understand and improve an individual’s leadership style and develop competency in six different domains of leadership,” according to the school’s website. The program was developed on research in organizational behavior, sociology, psychology, and political science and incorporates a 360-degree personal assessment that explores leadership styles and identifies challenges and opportunities.
“All of us are leaders in some capacity,” said Stewart. “You have to take ownership and put your name on it every day. No one has arrived, and there is no finish line. I hope this opportunity will stretch me so that I’ll be able to see outside of my circle and focus on what I can bring back.”
“My goal has always been to improve myself and ensure others around me are improving as well,” he continued. “I don’t believe in status quo or neutrality, either you’re improving or sliding backwards. If you can understand your own leadership style, then you can capitalize where you need to, and at the same time improve upon your weak areas. Expanding the Advantage includes expanding ourselves from a leadership standpoint. How we can better set the example is going to help us move forward in this era of an ever-changing Navy.”
Stewart holds fast to the concept of “servant leadership,” something he says he drew from the inspiration of Abraham Lincoln.
“I was born in Illinois, the Land of Lincoln,” he said. “Everything is Lincoln there. You’re saturated with a phenomenal leader and a very humble servant attitude. Those things are very important. You have to be able to serve if you ever want to lead. Your servant attitude should always stay with you, even after you become a leader. It’s always about giving back. I always say, ‘the example you give today the example that you’ll receive tomorrow,’ so pay it forward! Setting a good example handles everything else…there isn’t an off duty, you’re always on duty. Leadership isn’t a spectator’s sport.”
Meeting the needs of the fleet is a highlight of working here, according to Stewart.
“Seeing mission accomplishment every day, whether we have a successful shoot or a successful install, or hitting a milestone, or a ship has an improved capability…I’m inspired when I see our Navy responding. I can look, see and know that NSWC PHD had an effect on the actual readiness of a ship. It all goes back to how we are connecting with the Sailor and enabling instant success.”
Date Taken: | 05.23.2018 |
Date Posted: | 05.23.2018 15:44 |
Story ID: | 278150 |
Location: | PORT HUENEME, CALIFORNIA, US |
Web Views: | 421 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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