Successful leaders are successful mentors

September 2011 - Navy
By RADM Timothy D. Moon, USN (Ret)

The AUSN 2011 National Conference in New Orleans was a huge success. There is no place on earth like “The Big Easy.” My thanks to the Headquarters staff and the Southeast Region, led by Captain Bill Overend. You put together a schedule of events that gave us the experience of New Orleans while completing an aggressive schedule of Association business. Thanks to all of our briefers, both military and sponsors, including representatives from The United States Coast Guard; Commander, Navy Recruiting Command; Commander, Naval Air Forces; TriWest; USAA; and American Hearing Benefits on a variety of relevant topics that impact our membership.

For the first time, a meeting of the AUSN Board of Directors (BOD) was held at the conference site. This was extremely beneficial as it provided the opportunity for dialogue among the AUSN members, BOD and the sponsors in attendance. Tremendous knowledge and insight into the opinions and experiences of both members and BOD were shared by all. As a member of the BOD, I can say that we tackled some very strategic issues that impact our future. RADM Casey Coane reported on the status of AUSN from his perspective as our Executive Director. He highlighted both our accomplishments and the challenges that lie ahead. I continue to be impressed with his vision, his insight, and his passion for AUSN and our membership. Casey, your leadership is largely responsible for our status as the leading voice for America’s Sailors and the premier advocate for a strong Navy.

Mentoring and personnel issues are the focus of September’s edition of Navy magazine. Mentoring is important for both the junior and senior Sailor, and we are all Sailors. It is a key trait and skill of successful leaders and successful Sailors. Mentoring is a personal relationship between you and someone who may or may not be in your chain of command. Mentoring relationships are most effective when both personal and professional information and insights are shared so that all factors and concerns are open for discussion. As a junior, seek out a mentor by finding someone whom you respect and want to emulate. Mentoring is a special relationship that can help in many ways; the beauty is that it is not someone necessarily in your chain of command so you have no reason to fear reprisal. Mentoring is often confused with coaching and it is important that people at all levels understand the difference and develop skills in both coaching and mentoring because both are important, especially in the military. They are different. Coaching is similar but should be used in the junior/senior relationship within the chain of command. It is professionally and job performance focused and may be much more direct and “one-way” than mentoring. Coaching is very important in the performance review and counseling part of being a leader.

As I close, I want to congratulate the Navy’s newest chief petty officers. Your duties as, “The Chief” will be different from any other duty you’ve had. You will mentor the Sailors and Marines in your charge but also train your junior officers. Do not take this responsibility lightly, but with respect for those chiefs who trained you, those who have gone before you. Thank you and again, congratulations.

Finally, as our children return to school and we turn our attention to football, marching bands, yard work and other fall pursuits, I hope your summer was as wonderful as mine, and I wish for you an even better fall. Until next month!