ARMY AL&T
specialist or contracting officer. “Tis allows me to broaden my capabilities and keep learning my craft at the highest level and at the right time for whatever position I might find myself want- ing to pursue,” he said.
Grant completed the Defense Civilian Emerging Leaders Program (DCELP) in May 2022, and he now recommends it to everyone. He explained that DCELP focuses on leadership traits and builds on what he learned from the Inspiring and Develop- ing Excellence in Acquisition Leaders (IDEAL) program that he completed in August 2020.
“[DCELP] helped me to further enhance my leadership style and capabilities,” he said. With COVID-19 restrictions in place at the time, he learned especially that the workforce can still operate through unconventional settings, for example, within Microsoft Teams. “Tis course really brought that leadership trait out in all who attended,” he said, adding that current, real-world scenar- ios that keep you abreast of what challenges are being faced in the workforce are also taught. One slide from the course, “Our Purpose in the ‘New Normal,’ ” specifically sticks with Grant. He quoted author and retired Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrys- tal, “ ‘Digital leadership’ was not in the job description for our generation, but it became a critical skill for all of us to learn in the fast-moving and constantly changing fight.”
Grant’s top three takeaways from the course were, first, under- standing that the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic do not stop a team from working collaboratively virtually to get the mission done. Second, it is OK to disagree or to be chal- lenged by team members and faculty, as this allows you to grow as a person and to better understand and see your authentic self. Lastly, it is important to understand how or when it’s OK to show vulnerability, as this action can have an overwhelming effect on team members as well as employees under your leadership.
Grant advises junior acquisition personnel to keep striving to perfect their craft through courses like DCELP and IDEAL to be prepared to lead in any role. “Leadership does not have to be in the form of an appointed supervisor, it can be just mentor- ing a new employee or a coworker,” he said. “Just keep learning.”
He enjoys mentoring newly assigned contracting officers as well as just helping coworkers, he said. “Te acquisition field will not slow down with all the challenges from new policies, regulations and smaller congressional budgets,” Grant continued. “We must be prepared to find new ways of acquiring the best cost advantage supplies and services for our country and warfighters.”
ARCTIC WARRIOR
Grant, then serving with the 4th Battalion, 123rd Aviation Regiment (Arctic Warriors), stands in front of a helicopter in 1996 at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Dewayne Grant)
Continuous learning has allowed Grant to adjust his leadership style to what is currently happening in the workforce. “One can’t become stagnant and expect old leadership styles and traits to apply to the workforce as it is today,” he said. Te most impor- tant lesson Grant has learned on the job is to listen. He has had to adapt to team members’ ideas and learn to really digest what others were conveying before speaking, understanding that some of his solutions or recommendations may not be the most viable or cost effective for the situation. He said of all the skills, knowl- edge and experience he has, the one he applies now the most is truly listening to people before weighing in. “I have found out that talking just to talk provides no value to the situation or topic at hand,” he said. “Tere are so many new challenges within the current workforce that require leaders and subordinates to fully understand the diverse workforce and the continued challenges being presented in our ever-changing global world.”
Outside of work, Grant applies similar learning and adapting techniques to master his cooking (grilling) skills to serve his friends and family the best meal when they gather. “Tis attitude is the same approach I apply on my job daily,” he said. Te same way he strives to procure quality products and services for the warfighter, Grant said, “I prepare my food so that I get the most flavor and best cuts of meat that I hope will satisfy my friends.”
—HOLLY DECARLO-WHITE
https://asc.ar my.mil
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