Thanks for your podcast and thanks to Professor McNeal. As a father of a current USNA 3/C and retired Naval Officer, I appreciate your dedication to the Midshipman. I wholeheartedly agree about finding and cultivating mentorships. Unfortunately some learn the value of mentorship late in their careers. I was lucky enough to have dedicated officers reach to me when I was a LT and pulled me into a mentor-mentee relationship that I still enjoy today. Regarding the “when does your career start” I would contend that it starts as soon as you have a leader assigned over you. That may be a boss or your first company commander. You learn and cultivate your personal leadership style that carries through your career from observing those leaders whether good or bad. Sometimes you learn more from bad leaders because you see what you don’t want to be like. They didn’t lead and they didn’t motivate. These experiences and observations, along with one’s morals, education, and mental fortitude develop their personal leadership style. Analogous to Coach’s Wooden Pyramid of Success, one’s leadership style is the cornerstone of his or her career. Thanks again. Go Navy Beat Army!
Thanks for your podcast and thanks to Professor McNeal.
As a father of a current USNA 3/C and retired Naval Officer, I appreciate your dedication to the Midshipman.
I wholeheartedly agree about finding and cultivating mentorships. Unfortunately some learn the value of mentorship late in their careers. I was lucky enough to have dedicated officers reach to me when I was a LT and pulled me into a mentor-mentee relationship that I still enjoy today.
Regarding the “when does your career start” I would contend that it starts as soon as you have a leader assigned over you. That may be a boss or your first company commander. You learn and cultivate your personal leadership style that carries through your career from observing those leaders whether good or bad. Sometimes you learn more from bad leaders because you see what you don’t want to be like. They didn’t lead and they didn’t motivate. These experiences and observations, along with one’s morals, education, and mental fortitude develop their personal leadership style. Analogous to Coach’s Wooden Pyramid of Success, one’s leadership style is the cornerstone of his or her career.
Thanks again. Go Navy Beat Army!
Thank you so much for the comment and the feedback! Very interesting insights - I really appreciate it!