While the U.S. Army Installation Management Command Fellows Program is designed to develop future Army civilian leaders with fundamental leadership skills, one Fellows Program participant took this opportunity a little further by educating his peers in a self-development philosophy he refers to as “Psychosomatic Success.”
“Psychosomatic Success focuses on the management of one’s self-image,” said IMCOM Fellow John Sholes, who developed this philosophy through a blend of research into the works of Dr. Maxwell Maltz, Dr. Denis Waitley and many other sources, along with his own personal successes and experiences. “It reminds us that we, not our environment or past, have control.”
The theory states that nearly all that you achieve or fail to achieve is determined by your self-image, said Sholes, who is working on a rotational assignment at the IMCOM Headquarters G6 (information technology) Operations Planning Division. The theory incorporates topics such as self-image, performance and the self-talk cycle; using imagination and positive mind-feed in building self-image; and getting more living out of life.
“The information Sholes presented about ‘Psychosomatic Success’ philosophy was very beneficial,” said IMCOM Fellow Jade Fulce. “It was a great reminder that your attitude toward a situation or issue can change its outcome. It also reinforced the power of positive self feedback and encouragement. I constantly remind myself that I can do anything with planning, drive and purpose."
Participants in the four-year IMCOM Fellows Program are assigned an Army Civilian Training, Education and Development System Career Plan/Program that allows them to gain broad journeyman level experience by working rotations in garrison offices such as the Plans, Analysis and Integration Office, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security and/or at the IMCOM Headquarters, all while earning a master’s degree.
During the Fellows Programs rotations, fellows participate in assignments and projects to develop team building, networking and leadership skills. One of these assignments is to lead a teleconference on the topic of the fellow’s choice to share knowledge on various leadership topics or professional tools with other program participants.
“One of the challenges was deciding what topics would be most beneficial, valuable and have the greatest impact on the other fellows’ personal effectiveness, thereby having the greatest increase in their performance for the Army,” said Sholes.
This was challenging because Fellows are afforded great training opportunities such as action officer, supervisor and manager development courses, Civilian Education System, 7-Habits training and others, added Sholes.
“I had to ask myself a question we often hear from our commanding general: What are we missing?” said Sholes.
The result of this question was the “Psychosomatic Success” philosophy.
“As Fellows, we are challenged to quickly become functional experts all while developing ourselves as future leaders of the Army,” said Melissa Richardson, an IMCOM Fellows participant with Manpower and Agreements Division, Resource Management Office, Joint Base Lewis McChord. “His suggestion, to develop a positive, non-competitive self-talk monologue that focuses on incremental improvements takes the knowledge I have and gives me an action to take to achieve better results.”
“My hope is this will have a great long-term effect on each fellow throughout their careers,” said Sholes. “Each paradigm-enhancing experience leads to future decisions, which compound the individual’s growth and performance. I hope there will be a great increase in the fellow’s effectiveness and contributions to the Army as this compounding continues.”
For more information about the IMCOM Fellows Program contact Program Manager Joanna Stephens at 210-424-8341 or imcom.fellows@conus.army.mil.
Social Sharing