ATC guest speaker, MG Singh, shares thoughts on leadership

By Ms. Lindsey R Monger (ATEC)May 18, 2015

ATC guest speaker, MG Singh, shares thoughts on leadership
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maryland National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Linda L. Singh, Maryland National Guard adjutant general , presented her thoughts on leadership during Aberdeen Test Center's quarterly 'Women in Leadership' Session May 6 at Aberdeen Proving Ground... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
ATC guest speaker, MG Singh, shares thoughts on leadership
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Kelly Hacker, soft armor and head protection branch chief at Army Test and Evaluation Command's Aberdeen Test Center, explains the result of advanced combat helmet following a ballistic event to Maj. Gen. Linda L. Singh, Maryland National Guard adjut... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- Maryland National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Linda L. Singh, presented her thoughts on leadership during Aberdeen Test Center's quarterly 'Women in Leadership' Session May 6 at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

At the quarterly session, Singh encouraged personnel to recognize their own potential and strive for heights they may have not previously imagined for themselves. This quarter's theme, 'Recognizing that Your Ordinary Self Can Do Extraordinary Things,' addresses the importance of dispelling any self-doubt one may have when approaching opportunities.

"Leadership is not gender specific," said Col. Warline Richardson, military deputy at Army Evaluation Center, as she kicked off the session. "Leadership is not so much about having power, but having the ability to empower others."

This session, and other activities like it, support the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command's efforts to develop leaders within the workforce, evident by the ATEC's Leadership Development Program launched last October.

Even leaders need role models, said Singh. She spoke to the importance of having role models as she began her remarks. She credited her mother and grandmother for the strength they displayed over the course of her life, as it made a powerful impact on her choices and career path.

"I noticed that they [Singh's mother and grandmother] were [examples of] strong women in my life [and], were successful in their own way," Singh said.

Singh said that, early on, she never self-selected out of anything and always took advantage of every opportunity she was afforded.

"I wanted to be somebody," Singh said as she explained that it takes hard work to achieve greater heights.

"I went to every school, volunteered, and if I was asked to do something, I did it. This way, I started forming, for myself, what kind of leader I wanted to be," she said.

Singh reflected on multiple experiences during her time serving in the military that she feels helped her develop a variety of leadership skills to add to her 'tool set,' all of which helped her become the leader that she is today.

Singh said she knew she had a thirst for success and was willing to put in the work to achieve that vision.

"I guarantee you that, out of anything I wanted to be, I would be successful and mainly because I had the drive and desire to want to be the best and, if I wasn't the best, I would look at the others around me and ask myself 'what do I want to take away from them that I could add to my own true self?'," Singh said.

Singh's remarks motivated one attendee, Patricia Spicer, an ATEC directorate secretary, to think about how to become an effective and productive leader and apply various aspects of leadership in one's personal and professional life.

"The experiences she spoke of are an incentive to think outside the box and that leadership is demonstrated on all levels in life, personal and professional, whatever you do, where ever you are, and where ever you go," Spicer said.

Richardson, also a woman serving in a leadership role, enjoyed the session with the major general and highlighted a key takeaway from Singh's visit.

"[…] you are the captain of your own ship. Do not allow anyone, especially yourself, to 'opt out' on opportunities," said Richardson. "Some of those opportunities may appear to be difficult and challenging, but take them anyway because you will grow from them."

During her visit, Singh took time to tour ATC where she learned about the mission and capabilities the test center offers its customers.

Related Links:

The U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center

The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command

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