NAVAIR Leadership Development Program Spotlight

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — At first, Mike Hackert wasn’t quite sure what job shadowing meant.

He knew it was a requirement to complete the NAVAIR Leadership Development Program (NLDP), which he joined in 2009. He knew he would be traveling to Washington, D.C. But the rest was, as they say, “all in shadow.”

Job shadowing, a key component of NLDP, helps employees experience “a day in the life” of a senior leader through on-the-job learning. Through shadowing, employees can receive advice on strategies to pursue a particular job or career path and make connections or get referrals for potential jobs, mentors or more job shadowing.

Hackert, an electrical engineer, has shadowed three senior leaders since 2009, which he described as a combination of observational learning, mentoring and informational interviews.

He most recently spent a day with a Senior Executive Service member in developing technology at the Office of Naval Research. There, he said he gained a unique perspective from the top about “doing the right thing” and balancing that against the realities of politics.

In all three of his shadowing assignments, Hackert said he learned how to translate his technical abilities into leadership and decision-making skills.

 “I want to thank the program for breaking me out of my comfort zone to do shadowing,” he said. “I found it incredibly refreshing and beneficial.”

While a requirement for NLDP participants, NAVAIR’s Career Development Office also encourages all other employees to experience job shadowing.

“Job shadowing is important because it helps both parties to learn and exchange ideas,” said Kim Tennyson, NAVAIR’s required training and Developmental Assignment Registry program manager.

Hackert advises people interested in job shadowing to create an objective and agenda, clarify expectations up front and have fun.

“Remember, shadowing can be a two-way learning experience, so be on your best behavior and have an elevator speech ready with your message,” he said.

NAVAIR is in good company when it comes to job shadowing. According to the March 2002 issue of Training Magazine, 66 percent of their “Top 100 Training Companies” use job shadowing for employee development.

As the command’s flagship leadership program, NLDP is designed for high performing NAVAIR employees with demonstrated leadership potential, such as Hackert. In addition to job shadowing, the three- to five-year program includes mentoring, rotational assignments and classroom-based leadership training.

“It wasn’t until I really got into it that I really realized the value proposition,” Hackert said. “It [NLDP] helped get my head out of the sand to gain a greater perspective on leadership and management.”

Learn more about NLDP and the other training and developmental programs available to NAVAIR employees. Program applications will be accepted again in early 2014.