Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Washington celebrated its 2022 Leadership Development Program (LDP) graduates, Nicole Thompkins-Flagg and Ofer Barpal, during a ceremony held onboard the Washington Navy Yard in Washington D.C. These graduates are the latest cadre of NAVFAC professionals who have taken on additional responsibilities to challenge themselves to succeed in a highly competitive environment through development of their leadership capabilities.
The LDP represents one facet of NAVFAC’s leadership development opportunities and provides for the competitive selection of eligible personnel. The program is designed to provide deliberate professional growth through progressive learning opportunities and allows candidates to perform outside their sphere of influence. It consists of a structured training plan which includes rotational assignments, education and training, a specific development project, mentoring assignments, and developmental activities designed to broaden the cadre member’s corporate perspective.
Nicole Thompkins-Flagg, NEPA program manager at NAVFAC Washington headquarters, took the opportunity through the LDP to shadow and interview civilian and military leaders in different roles across the NAVFAC enterprise to gain insights into effective management and leadership.
“Of all the advice I received in my discussions with leaders across the organization, the one that has stuck with me the most is the idea of ‘leading from where you are’,” said Thompkins-Flagg. “Going in, I saw NAVFAC leaders only as people in positions of authority. Through the LDP, I have learned that being a leader is a mindset, not a supervisory position.”
Thomkins-Flagg has taken on leadership roles in a variety of NAVFAC Washington initiatives over the last year as part of the LDP in combination with her general duties as NEPA program manager.
“Becoming more comfortable with giving briefs and interacting with leadership has been incredibly helpful in my current position, as we have initiated a huge high-visibility effort in the NAVFAC Washington area of responsibility that requires coordination with outside stakeholders, public meetings, and interaction across all levels of the Navy, including the Secretariat,” she said.
Ofer Barpal, community planner at Naval Support Activity South Potomac, Naval Support Facility Indian Head, enjoyed the opportunities to have interesting and informative conversations with key command personnel through the LDP as well, and also found the self-evaluation exercises illuminating.
“The training and preparation of the 360 self-evaluation was a great starting point to identify areas in need of strengthening, as long as you are willing to ‘look yourself in the mirror’, accept peer input, and embrace doing the work to turn a weakness into a strength,” said Barpal. “The Program also provided ample opportunities for individual exploration and development.”
The LDP is different for each participant, allowing for each student to tailor the program to their interests and professional needs. Barpel capitalized on this aspect of the program and chose to prepare the resilience section for the Installation Development Plan for Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads, a project he was passionate about.
“I most certainly recommend this program to others,” he said “While the program’s title touts leadership development, I believe the program is beneficial to just about anyone, regardless of position. The skills, knowledge, and traits the program teaches and exposes participants to are applicable to anyone and can only strengthen the individual, the unit within which the individual operates, and the Navy and Department of Defense as a whole.”
Thompkins-Flagg was equally enthusiastic about recommending the LDP to others.
“The skills and experiences I obtained throughout the program have been instrumental in my personal growth and professional development and directly enhanced my ability to excel in my current position,” she said. “It is challenging to complete the workload alongside normal duties, but it is absolutely worth it.”