PaaL Step 3 graduates pose with Brad Harlow, NAWCWD deputy technical director, far left, and Tom Dowd, NAWCWD Ranges/Targets Operations and Labs Group director, far right. (U.S. Navy photo by Ron Rodriguez)
NAWCWD Celebrates PaaL Step 3 Graduation
Six Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division employees graduated from Professional at all Levels: Step 3 (Leading Organizations) in China Lake on Jan. 11. This final step in the PaaL program consists of a small-group, strategic planning intensive followed by six months of coaching and completion of an organizational strategy.
Katherine McLaughlin, Tony Small, John Caufield, Ariana Shermer, Ron Pruitt, and Kimberley Couture received their certificates after completing all phases of the PaaL program and presenting their 3-5 year strategic plans to senior leaders in attendance.
“Strategy is an essential component to leading our organization well. Without it, people feel adrift and wonder why they should stay. A clear, shared vision galvanizes and aligns the team, so they can move us into the future and feel proud of their work,” said Dalisia Coppersmith, head of NAWCWD Organizational Development.
PaaL includes three levels of leadership development: PaaL Step 1 (Leading Self & Others), PaaL Step 2 (Leading Teams), and PaaL Step 3 (Leading Organizations). Each step of the program instills separate but equally important leadership competencies needed at NAWCWD.