Executive Coaching Program continues at RDECOM

Engaging in conflict — (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md., (April 8, 2010) - A group of federal employees learned how to confront each other here today.

The second session of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command's Executive Coaching Program took place at the Edgewood Conference Center, focusing 17 members of the workforce on the "crucial confrontations" that exist in their daily lives.

Led by facilitator Andy Kirkpatrick from RDECOM's Communication Electronics Center, the group learned the basics of communication in crucial meetings with co-workers and bosses in the workplace or with family members at home.

"This is not just another training class," Kirkpatrick said. "You need to start using these tools in your daily life as you start moving forward.

"The program centers on you," he emphasized. "You are the one who has to keep the door open. Hopefully this will give you a fresh perspective about doing that."

Participants, representing a swatch of RDECOM headquarters staff, were asked to read national bestseller "Crucial Confrontations" by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler prior to the one-day class. The text addressed "tools for resolving broken promises, violated expectations and bad behavior."

Kirkpatrick led the group on a trail of discussions with themes such as: "The Big Idea," "What do you really want'" and "Don't feel feel the need to solve everything - sometimes helping is not helping." He divided the group into threes for interactive role-playing scenarios, asking participants to delve into various confrontations with colleagues or peers.

"You have to see the other person as a human being rather than a villain," Kirkpatrick explained. "You also have to know when to stop talking and listen to the other person's point of view."

This was the second session of the command Executive Coaching Program which began March 4 with a one-day session on coaching and teamwork development. The third session is scheduled for May 13 and will focus on "Times of Change" and address tools needed to create a climate of change within an organization.

Dick Belmonte, the command's deputy chief of staff, encouraged participants to return to their workplace and talk to their supervisors about what they experienced. "We want to take this forward and a good way to do that is to share what you've learned with your co-workers and bosses," he said.

Executive Coaching Program continues at RDECOM

TOP STORIES

Social Sharing