Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Washington has two new Aspiring Leadership Development Program (ALDP) graduates to celebrate, Edwin Franco, financial management analyst, and Abdoulaye Camara, supervisory accountant. They are the most recent NAVFAC professionals who have taken on additional responsibilities and challenged themselves to succeed in a highly competitive environment through development of their leadership capabilities.

The ALDP is just one of leadership development opportunities that is offered to the NAVFAC workforce. Consistent with NAVFAC’s Strategic Plan to strengthen, enhance, and accelerate workforce learning and performance, the ALDP is a corporate-wide initiative to provide developmental training for current and future leaders. Employees selected for the ALDP become students who participate in a six-month structured cohort program consisting of three weeks of formal training and other developmental activities. Students are also given a series of tools to reveal personality tendencies and understand what style of leadership one will adopt when leading a group. Some of the tools include the Myers-Briggs Type Assessment, the CliftonStrengths Assessment, and the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument.

“There are many styles of leadership and each person will use many of them during their career, sometimes without even realizing it,” said Franco. “One of the most powerful tools all individuals have is the ability to listen; which means paying attention to understand the meaning of the message the speaker wants to convey without judging, but instead truly understanding the ‘why’ of their message.”

The ALDP is an opportunity for bourgeoning leaders from across the NAVFAC enterprise to come together and learn from one another. Students interact with leaders who have different backgrounds, experience, and views of what an effective leader should be. Students network with their cohort and get a chance to listen to stories of experience from leaders and instructors who have been there and done that in business, industry, and government service.

“The program taught me how to be an effective leader by being an actor of positive change within NAVFAC, as well as be an effective communicator,” said Camara. “I would recommend the ALDP to all NAVFAC employees. It provides a solid leadership foundation and equips individuals with tools to succeed at work, as well as on their personal journey through life.”

NAVFAC Washington employees interested in ALDP are encouraged to apply now for the next cohort. Applications will be accepted until Friday, May 26.