Mary Falcigno, a computer scientist with DEVCOM, recently graduated from the Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program, photo credit Todd Mozes
by Sarah Aubouin
In this round of Spotlight on Success, we’re highlighting Mary Falcigno, a computer scientist with the Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Armaments Center in Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. With over ten years as an Army acquisition member, a degree in mathematics, and Practitioner level DAWIA- certified in the Engineering and Technical Management (ETM) functional area, Mary is a prime example of success, confidence, and consistent professional improvement.
STAYING FOCUSED AND DRIVEN – Mary Falcigno, 2nd row, 2nd from left, graduates with fellow 2024 participants from the Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program (DCELP) on May 10, 2024 at the National Center for Employee Development (NCED) – Norman, Oklahoma
Mary recently participated in the Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program (DCELP). DCELP institutes a competency-based approach for the deliberate development of individuals selected to the program with emphasis on Leading Self, Leading Teams and Projects, and Leading People. Leadership is developed both inside and outside of the classroom and knowledge is pursued in a classroom environment during four (4) week-long seminars over a four-month period. DCELP is open to Army Civilians GS-07 through GS-12 (or equivalent). Mary shared with us personal insights about her experience with DCELP – let’s take a look:
How do you think participating in this program helped or will help your acquisition career? Did it make an immediate difference in how you approach your daily work interactions?
Going through DCELP armed me with two unique resources that would be difficult to find elsewhere: DoD-wide leadership training and an expanded network. Much of my previously leadership training focused on the Army perspective while DCELP covered the entirety of the DoD. While some of the content was similar (i.e., MBTI assessments or discussions on public speaking), having the points of view from other branches and areas gave a different angle to these lessons.
Tangentially, the people I worked with every session came from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, and through sharing these with each other, my network is now more well-rounded. In my daily work interactions, after having practiced many of the leadership skills during DCELP sessions, I felt confident in applying them in leading my team. I had just started with a new group and was able to strengthen my mindset as I underwent that transition with skills learned in DCELP.
Why did you choose to participate in this program?
At the time when I applied to DCELP, I was feeling stuck in my work. The subject matter was interesting, but I didn’t feel like I was able to “flex and grow” as much as I could. I felt like I needed more experience beyond what I was being presented by my Army leadership, and DCELP was not something I had heard of previously. I chose to participate to broaden my horizons for future opportunities.
Do you have a specific activity, lesson learned or key takeaway that particularly resonated with you and how or why?
Throughout the program, we did a lot of introspection, looking to understand ourselves, how to express ourselves, and ways we contribute to our organizations/teams/groups. One of the first discussions toward this was about “authentic leadership” and leadership values. While I always considered myself to be authentic with everyone, taking a moment to identify characteristics about myself and what drives me as a leader was useful to increase my self-awareness and presence.
STRENGTHENED MINDSET – Mary Falcigno, 1st row, 3rd from left, attends an acquisition teambuilding mixer event with fellow DCELP cohorts at the National Center for Employee Development (NCED) located in Norman, OK
When you hear the phrase ‘lead by example’, is there a particular time in your professional life in which this idea loudly resonated?
This phrase is something that I feel has a role in my interactions daily. Not all lessons my leadership has taught me are explicitly laid out in an email or presentation. Many things I learn from watching how they conduct themselves and their own work each day. It is easy to say something like “lead by example” but not realize how many facets this may apply to. Specifically, with work-life balance, we are encouraged to take the time we need when we need it and to prioritize our health and loved ones. However, there are some leaders who will still try to work when sick or run late to an event because a meeting was going longer than expected. These actions are not in line with what they tell us but are not as obvious as more office-based actions.
How did what you learned in the program prepare you to be a more successful leader?
As mentioned previously, I feel more self-aware and understand my own values as a leader following the introspection done regularly with DCELP. I am prepared to be my own leader and not just the leader I think everyone wants me to be. The program provided me numerous resources, both people and topics, that can help me stay focused on success and navigate challenges as they arise.
Open to Army civilians GS-07 through GS-12 (or equivalent broadband), DCELP is one of the premier DoD leader development program for civilians. The program consists of a series of 4 one-week in-resident sessions, assessment tools, knowledge transfer activities, participant writing and briefing projects, and individual coaching. DCELP institutes a competency-based approach for the deliberate development of individuals selected to the program with emphasis on Leading Self, Leading Teams and Projects, and Leading People. DCELP opens for applications annually, typically in the 3rd fiscal quarter. For more details, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/ectdp/.
