Photo By Vanessa Flores | Col. George Turner, White Sands Missile Range Commander leads a discussion at the...... read more read more
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A diverse group of participants from various White Sands Missile Range organizations gathered at the Professional Development Center to attend the highly anticipated Defense Acquisition Leadership Certificate Course on Effective Communications on February 21, 2024. The first part of the course began online on January 15 and was conducted through the Canvas Learning Management System on NMSU-Global. Trainers from Chieftain Elite Consulting LLC moderated it.
The main focus of this one-day in-person seminar was to enhance organizational efficiency through effective horizontal and vertical communication.
At the start of the day, there was a conversation between the students and Col. George Turner, who is the commander of White Sands Missile Range. Turner initiated the discussion by asking the group what they had learned from the class and how they could apply it.
"The course explained you need to understand your audience, get everybody's background, know who you are talking to and use that knowledge to address your audience," said Jonathan Flores, White Sands Missile Range Test Officer for the Air and Space Branch Materiel Test Directorate. Flores admitted that in the past, he had provided too much information or overly technical information to his audience.
Turner agreed and emphasized that many decision-makers may not be well versed in the acquisition process or the particular topics that the students taking the course need to discuss with them. Those who work in acquisition for the Army are responsible for fulfilling warfighters' needs by effectively equipping, modernizing and ensuring sustainability for the future force. For example, the Army must execute agile logistics to meet future sustainment needs, which is one of many requirements acquisition professionals must solve.
Turner asked the group what changes are needed in the acquisition process to improve it. He received different responses from the members. In return, Turner shared his thoughts on what could be improved. He said, "We are not good at identifying requirements, setting timelines, and negotiating prices."
Turner explained that when you do not negotiate prices appropriately, you build a military you cannot afford.
During the event, Jeffrey Vargas, the President and CEO of Generationology LLC, a leadership and professional development consulting firm, delivered a presentation titled "Unleashing Presentation and Briefing Excellence." Vargas had previously worked for 22 years within the federal government with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and the U.S. Department of Energy.
During his career, Vargas often found himself in the position of briefing and presenting to many high-profile leaders, and on numerous occasions, had to utilize his persuasive skills to convince them to lend their support to his programs and initiatives, which is why he was invited to share his experience with the group.
During the presentation, Vargas provided a comprehensive overview of the various aspects contributing to a successful presentation. These included defining the intended purpose, identifying the rationale behind being selected as the presenter, preparing effectively, investing ample time in practice sessions, and soliciting constructive feedback. In addition, Vargas emphasized the importance of the influencer's physical proximity to the decision-maker, among other related topics. Overall, the presentation was a valuable resource for anyone seeking to enhance their presentation skills and achieve actionable outcomes.
"Your ultimate goal in any presentation and briefing isn't that you sound good. It's that the person who is receiving your presentation and brief has clarity of action," said Vargas. "He or she understands the situation environment that you've identified, and they see the solutions going forward. They also, depending on their trust gauge with you, can ask you this crazy question: what do you think we should do moving forward?"
During a discussion among participants, someone mentioned a presentation that didn't go well and how they had to reevaluate their processes. In response, Vargas made a point of saying, "We don't win and lose. We win and learn." He explained that these problematic moments help us grow by allowing us to reflect on our performance and improve our execution moving forward.
In turn he said, "It is 100% a mistake for you to try and be something you are not.”
Vargas emphasized the importance of authenticity in effectively conveying a message and inspiring action. This involves adequate preparation, receiving genuine feedback from a trustworthy source, and practice.
| Date Taken: | 02.29.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 03.16.2024 17:26 |
| Story ID: | 464995 |
| Location: | WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NEW MEXICO, US |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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