By Leisa Premdas, U.S. Naval War College Public Affairs
The U.S. Naval War College’s (NWC) College of Leadership and Ethics (CLE) hosted the 14th iteration of its Flag and Executive Leader Implementation Course (FELIX), a series providing naval leaders with problem-solving best practices to accelerate warfighting advantage, onboard Naval Station Newport, April 10-12.
FELIX-14 brought together 35 commanding officers from maritime and joint commands across the globe and NWC faculty to discuss problem-solving and performance improvement principles and tools consistently used by the Navy’s top teams.
“At the War College, we appreciate learning new techniques to bring a mindset of honest and rigorous self-assessment and process improvement to what we do,” stated Doyle K. Hodges, Ph.D., dean of academics at NWC and FELIX-14 participant. “The instructors challenged us, and our fellow students brought a wealth of experience and perspective to the course.”
The event began with comments by distinguished guests Adm. James Kilby, Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) and Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC), on the Navy’s Get Real Get Better (GRGB) approach to problem solving.
The two leaders provided their thoughts and experiences on GRGB’s challenge to apply cogent leadership methods and behaviors to empower Navy organizations toward exceptional results. They also encouraged participants to consider the application of GRGB in their respective organizations.
FELIX-14 highlighted the GRGB process’ focus on self-assessment, self-correction, and continuous learning, and offered commanding officers an opportunity to apply the most compelling cultural and problem-solving tools and techniques in the context of real problems experienced across diverse commands.
James L. Moser, director of the Problem Solving and Process Improvement Office (PSO) at the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) noted that FELIX-14 is designed to unpack the mindset of GRGB, revealing how PSO brings behaviors and tools together to create high performing teams that solve hard problems.
“The Naval War College and all the schools and commands attending FELIX will be a ‘force multiplier’ as participants use the learning from FELIX to thoughtfully push the Navy to the next levels of performance,” Moser stated.
Over the three-day period, course presenters used case studies to explore contemporary problems alongside relevant curriculum, encouraging students to collaborate to resolve issues effectively. Combining FELIX-14 with coaching from PSO fortified naval leaders to leverage their learning in achieving desired results for their respective commands.
FELIX-14 is part of the Navy’s Executive Development Program geared toward helping senior leaders develop the skills and knowledge they need to become the Navy’s executive leaders. The course focuses on sharing the Navy’s expectations of effective leadership skills and character traits, including self-awareness, ethics, and decision making.
NWC delivers excellence in education, research, and outreach, informing today’s decision-makers and educating tomorrow’s leaders. The college provides educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop students’ ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage.