DSCC employees participate in ‘Flash Mentoring’ sessions

Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime's Leadership Development Council hosted a 'Flash Mentoring' event Oct. 24 at the Defense Supply Center Columbus Operations Center.

'Flash Mentoring' is an adaptation of 'speed dating' transported to the world of mentoring, where junior professionals seeking leadership development are matched randomly with senior professionals for one-time coaching sessions.

Twelve mentors and nearly 50 mentees from across DLA Land and Maritime participated in the event, which consisted of two one-hour sessions. For each, six mentors shared their life experiences within the federal government, gave advice and offered encouragement with a group of four to five mentees for 15 minutes before rotating to another group. In an informal setting, the mentees asked questions about the mentors' development and personal growth. Each mentee had the opportunity to meet and listen to at least three mentors.

Industrial Hardware and Transparent Armor Division Chief Lori Archibald served as a mentor and said it is her most important role as a leader.

"It's important to help groom the leadership of tomorrow," she said. "I believe there are many myths in our work environment of what it means to be a leader within our organization…sacrifices you might have to make. I always appreciate the opportunity to talk to our employees to dispel those myths and to encourage them to see opportunities for leadership. I also find it personally very energizing to hear about the things that they find interesting, and it helps me to become a better leader myself."

After the mentors spoke briefly about their backgrounds, they answered questions such as: What obstacles did you have to overcome to get where you are today? Has there been someone in your career that you consider a mentor and how have they impacted/influenced your professional growth? What is the best advice you can give to help plan a career? Would you have done anything differently if given the opportunity?

Shane Kurilla, an Integrated Supplier Team chief and mentor, expressed the importance of understanding pathways for progression within various job disciplines.

"Multiple employees that participated in the event inquired about what they can do to [expand outside of] the series or area they are currently in," he said.

"I wanted to share my experience of the great opportunities DLA has offered me," he added. "DLA offered the chance of continued servitude past the military that I was missing when I had to retire from the Marine Corps."

Contract Specialist Heather Gleason, who participated as a mentee, said the event provided an opportunity to hear from leaders whose names she had heard but had not had the chance to hear from in person.

"They shared life experiences, advice and how their hard work paid off," she said. "The advice that stuck with me was not to chase a grade, to get a variety of experience, network, connect with people and learn to be flexible."

Steven Carpenter, an Organic Manufacturing program manager and mentee, added that the event offered networking opportunities not only with the mentors but with other attendees as well.

"I was able to make contacts with people from other fields and disciplines that can help me accomplish tasks down the road," he said.

LDC plans to hold more mentoring sessions in the future. For more information about LDC, contact LDC president Dayonna M. Rispress at [email protected]. For memberships, contact Michael Blaha at [email protected], or send an email to the LDC mailbox- [email protected].