ORLANDO, Fla. -- Government professionals received leadership advice from Army Materiel Command Commander Gen. Dennis Via, at the Blacks in Government 37th annual National Training Institute on Thursday.

As the BIG Closing Plenary keynote speaker, Via told the group of more than 600 people his 10 keys to leadership.

"I developed my own leadership philosophy when I was a young captain and while my philosophy has evolved over the years, the basic leadership insights I observed then remain true today," he said.

His first piece of advice was to set the conditions for success. Leaders should make sure their work environment is positive, caring and inclusive, Via said.

"Leaders must lead by example and they set the conditions for success by creating a positive work environment," he said. "Make it a place where other people want to be, where they enjoy serving with each other, and where they feel appreciated and like they are a part of a team."

Via encouraged the audience to always be persistent, using Orlando's most famous animator, Walt Disney, as an example. Disney failed the first two times he tried to start an animation company, but he never stopped trying and eventually created Mickey Mouse.

"Persistence is the where-with-all to stay with it even when things aren't going as planned, or worse," Via said.

He stressed the importance of always doing what is right -- legally, ethically and morally.

"Remember, someone is always watching," Via said. "In the end, your integrity can never be taken from you, you have to give it away and once lost, it can never be regained."

His final piece of advice was that personal relationships matter and the importance to have real connections with the people in your life.

"Someday that person may be the single factor that makes the difference between success and failure," he said. "The people you sit with tonight may be in your lives for years to come. Keep in touch after you return to your organizations. Help each other and learn from one another."

Via's other keys to leadership included: always take care of your people, live your organization's values, set high goals, reinforce teamwork, work hard every day and be approachable.

The weeklong training focused on the attendees enhancing their knowledge and networks. This year's theme was "Connect, Communicate, Collaborate -- Advance."