Page 22 - Bravo Zulu - 2017 2nd QT F-17 Newsletter

MEMBERS TRAINING

Another major area that was emphasized throughout the leadership aspects of the AUXLAMS
included how ethics connects to one’s personal or organization’s image or Ethos. “While
managers can control or develop some of the outward manifestations of a positive ethos, it is
more difficult for them to change their fundamental character, or for an audience to determine for
that matter, their true character. Ideally, a positive ethos would exemplify a strong inner
character and high ethical standards”.

The extensive and numerous situational scenarios participation of the AUXLAMS participants
were very intensive and a key to self-improvement and the overall learning experience. This is a
technique and methodology also used in some of the other intensive C-School courses like the
Public Affairs Specialist C-School offered in several locations nationally and funded by the
DHS/USCG for Auxiliarists interested in working in Public Affairs.

After taking graduate business studies in transportation management that this course emulated
many of the key areas that I experienced in taking two courses one in Project Management and
the other in Leadership at a cost of over $3,000. These opportunities to take and participate as a
member of the USCG Auxiliary are a valuable experience in acquiring and reinforcing life skills
in management and leadership that will in practice greatly improve your interaction with fellow
Auxiliarists and the public.

The AUXLAMS course experience sensitized my ability to recognize the qualities and
methodologies in being an effective leader among peers and the public and resulted in my final
reflection of the message and experience in supporting the USCG Auxiliary image and ethos in
membership interaction and retention, as well as public contact.

In the end it is the humanistic values that embrace the ideals of integrity, honesty, and
implementing innovation/change for the benefit of the USCG/Auxiliary and the public we serve,
being the most durable assets of leadership. Leadership must take the ultimate responsibility for
its actions, vision, and business/command ethics by virtue of the authority bestowed by the
principals of “public trust”. Encompassing the role of leadership in an increasingly complicated,
regulated, and political/policy driven environment are unpredictable risks and conflict
management issues that can challenge, compromise and diminish the effectiveness of leadership,
and its goals of membership recruitment and retention.

To be a truly great leader one must have etched in the soul the principals of “doing the right
thing”, the belief of integrity and service for the benefit of the USCG/Auxiliary mission and
improving the boating safety of the public.