JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. - –
The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command kicked off a new Civilian Intermediate Leadership Development Program at Fort Eustis, Virginia, Sept. 23 through the 25.
The program is designed to address capability gaps in available leader development programs for GS-11 to GS-13 permanent employees, who comprise the largest group of TRADOC employees.
"There aren't many leadership development courses available for civilians at mid-grade ranges who work with the Army," said Dustin Harfmann, TRADOC Civilian Human Resources Directorate human resources specialist. "We wanted to bring together people who are willing to take the next step into a leadership role so they can take what they learn from this program and get ready for the next step in their career."
The program began with a three-day workshop for TRADOC's inaugural class from across the Command featured a briefing on leadership from U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Kevin Mangum, TRADOC deputy commanding general. During his brief, Magnum gave attendees advice on looking at things form a different perspective.
"The Army's definition of leadership is 'a process of influencing people by providing purpose, motivation and direction to achieve and accomplish the mission and to improve the organization,'" said Mangum. "Leadership is a long process. As you go through this course, look at the world the same way as your boss or even your boss' boss."
The program initiates a two-year process for participants. Attendees were partnered with a mentor to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities required to broaden their leadership capabilities.
"The biggest part of this program is the mentoring," said Ellen Helmerson, TRADOC deputy chief of staff. "It's an opportunity for the mentees to capture and describe their goals and objectives so the mentors can help guide them in the right direction."
Those involved in the program will maintain their current positions in their work centers, and will additionally work with various other assigned units throughout the next two years to gain experiences that will broaden their knowledge.
"If I have someone who has worked budget their entire career, they're not going to work with a different budget office during this program because it's not going to provide any career development," said Harfmann. "We want to get them out of their comfort zone and expand their horizons so we might partner them with a human resources office or some other unit."
More than 50 TRADOC employees participated in the first workshop. Program organizers hope to see more classes that are more regionalized to help build the leadership base for future mid-level employees for the next 10 to 20 years.