Michelle C. Washington, MPA’s Post

#ArmyCAP25 is underway as candidates make their way to Fort Knox, KY. Check out this video for an overview of #ArmyCAP and to learn about some recent changes to this year's #CommandAssessmentProgram - the largest leader assessment in the world! #TalentWins #WorldClassFairConsistent #BeAllYouCanBe

Few artifacts are as impactful to me as this one, the Enola Gay, which dropped an atomic weapon on Hiroshima, Japan, 78 years ago yesterday on August 6, 1945. Each time I see this aircraft, my stomach churns. And from the expressions and whispered conversations of museum visitors from Japan, that feeling may be common. History is fraught with atrocities. Ignorance, while blissful (and often abundant), is not a characteristic associated with leadership. Next time you are in DC, be sure to visit the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. How does this relate to leadership? Leadership is often gut-wrenchingly hard, incredibly messy, and takes great planning and reflection. Reflecting on the organization, its systems, its success and its failures, is SOP for effective leaders. Join one of the many UAFS Center for Economic Development development program. We have dozens planned for the remainder of 2023. Not sure what's for you? Message me! #leadershipdevelopment #economicdevelopment #historymatters #smithsonian #reflection

On the theme of inspirations, I think of Anton Meyer’s “Once an Eagle” often. In it, he describes two idealized “leader” archetypes, the ideal, and the sycophant. So much here on the themes of #life & #leadership – and so interesting reading the variety of reactions people have about it. Anyone read this one? #military #mindset #leadership #businessowner #readinglist #NMCastleRock

𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Communication is not just about exchanging information—it's a critical tool that fuels innovation and accelerates program success. Effective dialogue between teams, stakeholders, and across departments can bridge the gap between technical potential and groundbreaking achievements. #ProgramManagement #ProjectManagement #Communication #Teamwork #Leadership #Aerospace #Defense #Innovation

2. Strategy and mission. Once the vision has been established, leadership has to translate it into something more concrete. By this, I mean that they have to give members a way to make decisions and take actions that consistently support achieving the goals that will lead to success, i.e., reaching the vision. This is done through choosing the right strategy and formulating a clear mission statement. There are no better sources for learning about strategy than Michael Porter's works and the United States Marine Corps Doctrinal Publications (https://lnkd.in/gRKGBUp8).

🎖️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 At the Space Force Cadet Corps, we believe that great leadership is built on collaboration. As we develop our program, we aim to emphasize how fostering teamwork and cooperative efforts can lead to outstanding achievements. 🚀 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: Our future curriculum will highlight the importance of working together. Cadets will learn that combining diverse skills and perspectives leads to more innovative solutions and stronger outcomes. 💻 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀: We plan to focus on teaching cadets how to build trust and mutual respect, creating a solid foundation for teamwork. 🌌 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: We aim to encourage cadets to lead by example, promoting a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to share their ideas. Through collaboration, we intend to prepare our cadets to navigate the complexities of space and cyber domains, driving success through unity and collective effort. 📢 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: How do you foster collaboration and teamwork in your leadership roles? 👉 Learn more at ussfcc.org #spaceforce #ussf #sempersupra #leadership #space #futureleaders

I recently had the honor of delivering a keynote speech on innovating for tomorrow's warfighters and shifting the culture within our future leaders at the Future Military Space Technology Conference in Los Angeles, put on by SAE Media Group . I got the great pleasure of being amongst some impressive attendees and presenters while I highlighted the critical need to integrate practical, hands-on experience in innovation from day one. I emphasized that innovation is more than just high-tech solutions and tangible products and items—it's also about transforming processes and thinking differently to achieve positive outcomes. Those small wins and projects can create ripple effects to larger, monumental solutions and fixes. Changing the dynamic culture to prepare future leaders to take on the challenges of a rapidly evolving landscape seems daunting, but it is extremely necessary and beneficial to deter our foreign adversaries through innovation. Most importantly, I had fun talking to others about innovation and the work they are doing in the space sector. #innovation #spaceforce #leadership #cultureshift #technology #blueorigin #hughes #technology

Back in London to talk about transformation and culture change in Defence on Public School of Technology’s Strategic Innovation programme. Fittingly, inspired by Nelson’s Column, the principles that enabled Admiral Nelson to secure naval victories are timeless and applicable to the challenges today’s leaders face. Courage to Innovate Nelson wasn't afraid to defy naval conventions, famously using unconventional tactics at the Battle of Trafalgar to secure victory. Like him, we must dare to embrace new technologies and innovative approaches, breaking away from the traditional to steer our organisations towards digital success. Unity and Shared Vision Nelson's ability to inspire and unite his men under a common cause was legendary. For us, forging a shared digital vision is crucial. It aligns efforts, fosters teamwork, and propels the organisation forward. Decentralised Decision-Making Empowering his captains through the "Nelson Touch," he fostered initiative and quick decision-making. In our digital voyage, empowering team members to make decisions ensures agility and responsiveness, vital in navigating the fast-evolving digital landscape. Lead by Example Nelson led from the front, his presence at the heart of battle instilling confidence and loyalty. In the digital realm, leaders must also demonstrate commitment, showing willingness to embrace change and tackle challenges head-on. #DigitalTransformation #Leadership #Innovation #Teamwork InContext Consultancy Group

“Clear thinker” is a better compliment than smart. - The Almanac of Naval Ravikant, Eric Jorgensen It is becoming increasingly more difficult to see things as they are. There is so much noise, information, communication and distraction that can get in the way of seeing something or someone clearly. It is a skill to be able to assess reality, accept it and operate from what is real as opposed to what we want to be true. I say the phrase, “It’s not about what’s right or wrong, it’s about what is, let’s start there and try to get to what’s right.” more than anything else. As leaders we need to quiet the noise, avoid assumptions and think clearly as we make decisions. It may be painful to see the truth, but embracing what’s real gets us much further than basing decisions on hopeful assumptions. #clearthinking #leadyourself #personalpeak

A very insightful podcast with Bradley Genser, Co-founder & CTO of Farther, about his experience at West Point, valuable lessons learned in the military, and how the military prepared him to start and lead Farther. Listen to the podcast here:  https://bit.ly/3ud1Oxt #veteransday #wealthmanagement #wealthtech #financialadvisor