THE ROLE OF THE LEADING PETTY OFFICER (LPO)

leader development. NAVLEAD emphasizes the following: Individual commitment to self-improve- ment Command leader development training and opportunities and a positive, supportive command climate Formal leader development training and education programs Direct involvement by designated echelon 2 commands NAVLEAD provides leadership training for naval personnel to accomplish the Navy’s mission effectively. It also provides leadership training for different ascension levels in the three warfare communities for fleet and shore commands. All NAVLEAD courses are based on 16 leadership attributes or competencies that distinguish superior performers from average performers. NAVLEAD courses refer to those competencies as “skills.” The courses em- phasize the knowledges, skills, behaviors, and thought patterns that research has shown to distinguish superior performers from average performers. You can find further information about NAVLEAD course requirements in OPNAVINST 5351.2. THE ROLE OF THE LEADING PETTY OFFICER (LPO) The division officer normally designates the division’s senior chief petty officer or senior petty officer as its leading petty officer. The leading petty officer aids the division officer in administering, supervising, and training division personnel. Those are just a few of the tasks you will perform when you serve as the LPO. You will also fulfill the following roles: Technical expert Supervisor � Leader � Advisor/counselor � Mentor To accomplish the above roles, you must learn to use 16 leadership and supervisory skills. Five steps support development of the knowledges, behaviors, or thought patterns related to these leadership skills: RECOGNIZE SKILLS. Learn to recognize desired knowledges, skills, behaviors, or thought patterns of superior leaders. UNDERSTAND THE SKILLS. Integrate the desired knowledges, skills, behaviors, or thought patterns into your own way of thinking. SELF-EVALUATE IN RELATION TO THE SKILLS. Rate the relevance of the various skills, behaviors, or thought patterns to your own job, career, or life goals and identify specific areas for self-improvement. PRACTICE THE SKILLS. Develop use of the skills, behaviors, or thought patterns by practicing them and receiving feedback on them. PERFORM THE SKILL. Plan how you can use the skills, behaviors, or thought patterns on the job. Envision on-the-job problems, set goals to resolve them, and develop action plans that involve the use of the proper leadership skills. Learning Styles People learn in different ways. The way one person learns a skill or how to perform a task may not be an effective or efficient method for another person. Most people develop a preferred, or dominant, approach to learning by using one or two styles more often than others. However, most people employ each of the learning styles, to some degree, often moving from one to the other. To develop effective subordinates, you need to be an effective leader. That means knowing your own dominant learning style and the dominant learning style of each of your 2-2