Deputy Undersecretary of the Navy (DUSN) Mr. Victor Minella – Navy to Civilian Leadership through the “DUSN’s Dozen”
Listen now
Description
In this episode of Moments in Leadership, host David B. Armstrong spends time with DUSN Victor Minella, otherwise referred to as “Dozen” where they spend time discussing various topics related to leadership from his enlisted time, his officer time, and finally in civilian leadership inside the Department of the Navy.   DUSN Minella covers the importance of leadership in making organizations successful and the differences/similarities in leading civilians and military personnel. DUSN Minella emphasizes leaders should seek to understand their personnel as individuals and not merely names on a chart. He also believes the best organizations are those where everyone is held to the same standard, especially on the ethical side.    To make this happen, he stresses the importance of compassion and understanding junior personnel will make mistakes, the important thing is to understand why the mistake happened and ensure the person is still a member of the team.    While every leader is responsible for setting the culture and foundation, the episode also covers the need for ethical leadership to ensure personnel Live Their Oath. DUSN Minella says unethical leaders are one of the quickest ways to erode trust in a command and more broadly, citizens’ trust towards the military.    The trust of people is firstly forged from competence and leaders must be able to triage and quickly learn. The transition from military to civilian removes the bonafides of the uniform and rolling up one's sleeves and getting involved helps in gaining trust and showing competence in the job. Losing military identity can be overcome by having job satisfaction, so picking the right job, and not just ‘a job’ is vitally important in helping service members make their transition outside the military.    DUSN Minella discusses the role of the Senior Executive Service is to be an executive and not specifically to task but to give guidance when needed and support when warranted. Oftentimes being the ‘easy answer’ fails to create teams where initiative becomes a part of the organizational culture.   The role of innovation is critical to solving some of the most important issues facing warfighters today. Fostering a culture of mentorship, communication, and innovative ‘maverick’ thought allows an organization to be agile and responsive to the needs of these warfighters.    DUSN Minella discusses how being ‘All-In’ is essential for maximizing both individual opportunities and improving National Security. The commitment and the Oath means being ‘All-In’ for the United States.         Overall, the episode is an insightful discussion about leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the need for leaders to build relationships with their subordinates.   Thank you for supporting the project (below)   Please consider supporting this project on Supercast: Moments In Leadership Supercast    Want to support the project AND look cool at the gym or when you take your blouse off for a working party? Grab a cool tee shirt here from Mission Essential Gear, where every order supports this project AND donates back to Patrol Base Abbate    Be sure to check out the sponsor of this show Fieldseats.com for virtual reviews of great firearms, optics and gear where at the end of the virtual review, they give theitem away to an attendee. Be sure to use CODE: “LETHALMINDS” for 10% off the registration to a virtual review and check out their Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube accounts @filed_seats   [Terms and Conditions apply]   Relevant Resources & Other Mentioned Episodes: [ADD REFERENCES AND USE THE LINKS IN SEPARATE DOCUMENT IN GOOGLE DRIVE TITLED    DUSN’s Dozens:  Live your Oath  Be bold be kind  Exercise Urgency  Always Overprepare Know your audience  Be Genuine  Be a Storyteller Be Brief Be Gone  Be uncomfortable Be a Mentor Always Value Enthusiasm  Celebrate Opportunity and Success     Marine Corps Training and Educatio
More Episodes
SgtMaj Cuadro is my first female enlisted leader and was a recommendation from several other SgtMajs, so I knew this would be a good one.  And it is.    Support this project on Supercast: Moments In Leadership SupercastVisit the Moments in Leadership website:Follow on Instagram:Email:...
Published 11/17/24
Published 11/17/24
This episode is with retired LtCol Isaac G. Lee, call sign Whiskey and the author of Hanger 4, a memoir of a combat aviator and CH53 pilot. I read it cover to cover and passed it along to an active duty infantry Captain and company commander because of the leadership lessons in the book. While I...
Published 10/14/24