ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Maryland -- "Yes, we heard you, and we're listening," said Col. Warline Richardson, Army Evaluation Center military deputy, during her opening remarks to kick off an AEC off-site meeting, Sept. 10, at the Top of the Bay where AEC division chiefs spent the day honing their leadership and supervisory skills as part of an effort to further develop AEC Army professionals.
The Center, like the Army, is focused on developing a corporate culture of expertise, trust, honor, good stewardship and ethics. AEC senior leaders asked management at the division chief level about what leadership challenges they are facing and in what areas AEC leaders were interested in developing as an organization to cultivate a culture of leadership and teaming.
"Leaders have the most responsibility in an organization, taking care of people," said Dr. Thomas Cao, PhD., U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command acquisition career manager, strategic initiatives group, AEC. "Today's off-site is a great opportunity to learn more about leadership and what techniques will enhance the important mission of taking care of the workforce, which is truly our greatest asset."
AEC responded to their management's request and developed an AEC off-site specifically focused on topics chosen by the leadership who will use the techniques learned in their day-to-day mission areas.
"This off-site will support our efforts to cultivate and encourage an era of leadership, competence, teaming and understanding among our workforce, and it starts at the top," said Dave Jimenez, AEC director. "Today, the staff had the opportunity to understand the challenges we will face over the next few years and how their contributions are crucial to our continued success."
The one-day session was planned by those in attendance and started with an icebreaker where division chiefs learned something they didn't know about one another as a way to start the day by connecting with people and demonstrate the value-added for supervisors to get to know their workforce and improve collaboration and communications across the staff. Off-site participants engaged in a series of workshops and a team building exercises where together, they built a bridge to signify the strength that exists when personnel communicate and work together, extensively, as a team. AEC reports that in 13 years of administering the program, the bridge building project was completed in record time.
"It's all about building a team through collaboration and communication," said Richardson. "As leaders, we owe all members of our workforce great leadership; great communications up and down the chain [of command]; and the example of what teamwork and respect for others looks like. We must lead from the front."
Maj. Gen. Peter D. Utley, commanding general, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, shared his thoughts on a variety of topics to include leadership. He stressed the importance of leaders being active and engaged. "Coaching and teaching your subordinates by talking 'with' them versus talking 'to' them builds trust and confidence and improves performance."
He offered advice about the value of explaining the rationale for a decision as a leader assumes positions of increased responsibility. "When you make decisions, take the time to explain the logic and rationale behind the decision to your subordinates to alleviate any misconceptions you do not value their ideas or input. Also use it as an opportunity to develop them and broaden their perspective and understanding. It will pay dividends downstream," said Utley. "To me, it's another way to build trust between you and your team in addition to demonstrating moral and ethical conduct through your deeds."
During the day, other topics addressed included force structure, future planning, mission readiness, problem solving skills and techniques, and how to motivate and inspire teams to live the Army values and adhere to the Army ethic.
Jimenez impressed upon the division chiefs the importance of the AEC mission and the impact their expertise has on the Army.
"The Army Evaluation Center, as an organization, rests on your shoulders," Jimenez said to the group. "We have an incredible responsibility and the work you do is integral to the Army conversation. Everything the Army buys touches this organization first.
"Your expertise, knowledge base, the deep understanding you each have of the Army's vision is imperative to us achieving mission success," said Jimenez. "I challenge you to develop ethical, competent and committed leaders within your teams to help develop the Army's future leaders."
The second day of the program included a guided lecture tour on a staff ride to Valley Forge, with a focus on leadership in adversity, according to Jimenez.
"We walked through Valley Forge playing the role of a band of radicals who had lost many battles, were malnourished, barefoot and had little support from the locals," explained Jimenez. "Facing all of those challenges, under the leadership of George Washington, they were still expected to perform. This event was a great two days as we focused on the path ahead."
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