NSWC Crane held its first-ever “Leading from Every Seat: Inspiring a Culture of Connectedness”

NSWC Crane held its first-ever "Leading from Every Seat: Inspiring a Culture of Connectedness"

By Emily Gray (ctr), NSWC Crane Corporate Communications

CRANE, Ind. -

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) hosted a professional development event for their civilian workforce and ecosystem partners focused on inspiring a culture of connectedness at WestGate Academy. The command hosted its inaugural "Leading from Every Seat" event on October 29 and allowed participants, both in-person and virtually, to learn through networking, keynote speakers, and breakout sessions.

The event featured Ryan Jenkins as the keynote speaker. Jenkins is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author who focuses on team connection, leadership, generational differences, and the future of work.

"Connection is the anchor of your organization and the lynchpin of your life," said Jenkins. "Make connection your intention. While technology evolves, human connection endures. The future is human connection. And the future belongs to the connectable."

Multiple breakout sessions allowed participates time for training and networking. Some options for the breakout sessions included "Creating Inclusive Teams", "Navigating Change: Leading Through Transition," and "Fundamentals of Team Dynamics."

"Our NSWC Crane workforce is a critical resource for the Navy of today, tomorrow, and the future," said Lisa Good, Contracts Department Director. "Every day we are delivering innovative solutions to the Nation and its Warfighters. For us to continue to provide indispensable expertise and to position ourselves for the future, it is crucial that we actively participate in training opportunities focused on personal and professional development across a wide range of topics: managing conflict, crucial conversations, coaching, leadership, change management, enabling inclusive teams, and more."

Dr. Angela Lewis (SES), NSWC Crane Technical Director, said that "Leading from Every Seat" will play a key role in the development of leadership skills for NSWC Crane employees.

"Events like this provide a unique opportunity to employees of NSWC Crane," said Dr. Lewis. "Through networking and breakout sessions, members of our workforce are able to discuss, learn, and grow as leaders. Our number one mission is to support the warfighter, and we do that best through continuous development of our employees."

Hannah Stowers, Deputy Director of Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion, is hopeful that employees attending the event gain a greater understanding of the opportunities open to them.

"The goal for this event was to give employees the opportunity to focus on leadership development no matter what position or role they currently have in the organization. We all have the opportunity to lead ourselves, and this event was a chance to enhance skills in managing change, conflict resolution, communication, and many more areas," said Stowers. "My hope is that participants were able to leave the event feeling encouraged, with more awareness of opportunities available to them, and feel more connected to their peers and NSWC Crane."

About NSWC Crane | NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electromagnetic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today's Warfighter.

Join Our Team! NAVSEA employs a diverse, highly trained, educated, and skilled workforce - from students and entry level employees to experienced professionals and individuals with disabilities. We support today's sophisticated Navy and Marine Corps ships, aircraft, weapon systems and computer systems. We are continuously looking for engineers, scientists, IT and cyber specialists, as well as trade and other support professionals to ensure the U.S. Navy can protect and defend America. Please contact NSWC Crane Human Resources at [email protected].