USAWC Spouses develop professional leadership through FLAGS

UNITED STATES

02.02.2016

Story by Robert Martin 

U.S. Army War College Public Affairs

Investing in the professional development of spouses of military leaders in the residence course. Facilitating Leadership and Group Skills, FLAGS, workshops guide military, civilian and international spouses of USAWC students in becoming professional leaders, strategic thinkers and problem solvers, paralleling the Army War College mission.
“The opportunity to attend FLAGS facilitator training was a unique and invaluable experience,” said Judy Woodword. “Although the material has a familiar tone, I found the approach of combining the art, science, and skill of self-awareness with group dynamics particularly useful.”
“For me, the most valuable part of the training was the opportunity to capitalize on the collective experience and wisdom of other military spouses in thinking about how to apply skills both at the individual and organizational levels,” she said.
“FLAGS helped me discover that one of the keys to both leading and working well within a group is understanding what makes me as an individual tick,” said Karen Wolter. “Gaining a deeper knowledge of how and why I do things the way I do them has given me insight about the same for others,” said Wolter.
The four-day course develops critical skills, confidence and competence in such areas as team-building methods for facilitating; motivation, team collaboration; decision-making; and identification and resolution of interpersonal behaviors.
The participating student spouses develop skills through a peer-to-peer learning process designed to increase self-awareness through exploration of communication, leadership styles, conflict and stress management, group dynamics, as well as preferences for learning and inclusion through the use of instruments and small group activities.
“FLAGS is absolutely the best training the Army has to offer spouses. I have gained tremendous self-awareness, fine-tuned my leadership skills, and have become a master of group dynamics,” said Gwyn Nielsen.
“These skills will help me in every aspect of my life. The best part -- I have built relationships with a fabulous group of ladies I now call my Army Sisters. I can hardly wait to facilitate FLAGS for my peers here at the Army War College." Nielsen said.
Nielsen, Woodword, Wolter and 12 other spouses completed three weeks of FLAGS Facilitator training and will soon put their preparation to good use. As facilitators, they will in turn teach other spouses during two types of workshops.
The one-day Self-Awareness Workshop is scheduled for Feb. 16 and 18, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in Collins Hall. Register NLT Feb. 9. This workshop will explore individuals preferences in behavior and learn how to their behavior can impact groups.
The three-day Communication, Leadership and Group Skills workshops are scheduled for March 1 – 3 and 15 -17, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in Collins Hall Register NLT Feb. 19. These workshops focus on communication, leadership and group skills.

• Date Taken: 02.02.2016
• Date Posted: 02.22.2017 14:41
• Story ID: 224337
• Location: US