REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (July 15, 2016) -- More than 50 employees, representing 18 Redstone organizations, attended the annual Leader Investment for Tomorrow Leader Forum. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command started the program in 2005 to foster continuous learning among employees at all levels and grades.
James Lackey, director of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center, discussed why mentoring is important and what employees can do to become better leaders, better followers and build a better workforce.
"Organizations run on people," Lackey said. "People make it all happen, and we must cultivate time and attention to growing our workforce. The mentoring process enables learning, supports coaching and derives perspectives and awareness by employees so that they can make connections to the larger picture."
There are three class levels in the LIFT Program, and AMRDEC has 13 protégés and mentors. Upward Leader Investment for Tomorrow is targeted for GS 5-11 employees. Intermediate Leader Investment for Tomorrow is designed for GS 12-13 employees, and the Advanced Leader Investment for Tomorrow is designated for GS 14-15.
"Leadership is more than just a concept or definition. It is not about pay, power, position or the other accouterments that come with leading. Those are the wrong reasons to seek leadership," said Thomas Olszowy, LIFT program manager and instructor. "Leading is a mindset and a responsibility to serve others. The LIFT program helps employees make decisions about leading and assists in developing the character, competency, and commitment needed to be successful."
Mentees are aware of the importance of attending the classes and engaging with their peers and interacting with other leaders. Allen Walker, AMRDEC's avionics and networks technical area lead, travels from Ft. Eustis, Virginia, monthly to attend the leadership classes.
"I believe I am the first non-Redstone Arsenal participant in the AMCOM LIFT program," Walker said. "I signed up for this as an opportunity to engage with my peers from across the aviation community, as well as meet and learn from senior leaders from across Redstone Arsenal. This has been a great training and professional development opportunity.'
Lisha Adams, Army Materiel Command executive deputy to the commanding general, said that she is a better leader and person because she had mentors who invested their time in her. "Mentoring is important because when leaders invest time in potential leaders, they are not only growing the person; they are also growing the organization," she said. "One of my favorite quotes is by John Maxwell who said, 'It takes a leader to know a leader, grow a leader, and show a leader.' "
This 10-month program is open to all Team Redstone organizations. Members meet monthly to develop the skills they will need to be the next generation of leaders.
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The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to ensure decisive overmatch for unified land operations to empower the Army, the joint warfighter and our nation. RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.
Related Links:
U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command
U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center
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