A positive, authentic corporate culture that embraces diversity and inclusion is essential to Navy mission success.
That was the message delivered by NAVSEA Warfare Center leadership and panelists during a live, virtual event Wednesday, June 16, entitled “Why Culture is Key.”
The online event was part of the Warfare Center’s ongoing “Leadership in a Diverse Environment” initiative that has hosted live and virtual events since 2017 in an effort to improve the environment of the workforce. Having the right corporate culture, leaders contend, is a WC requirement and mission imperative. It is what will breed success, personally and professionally, they say.
“We want to make the NAVSEA Warfare Centers the best place to work in the nation,” said Dr. Brett Seidle, Executive Director of the NAVSEA Warfare Centers. “We seek a work environment that is outstanding, that is welcoming to everyone and leads to employees having real joy in the workplace every day. When that happens … you get everyone’s A game.”
Rear Admiral Kevin Byrne, who commands the NAVSEA Warfare Centers, agreed.
“Here at the Warfare Centers, our workforce is the most critical resource we have. We strive to have a culture that is inclusive, engaging and one in which we excel together,” he said. “That culture is shaped by the values of honesty, integrity, unity, empowerment and service.”
The event featured comments by Ms. Laura Liswood, an internationally recognized speaker, advisor and author of “The Loudest Duck,” among other books. She stressed that understanding cultural and social differences of a workforce is a major key to a high-performing, merit-based work environment.
She was joined by panelists Dr. Angela Lewis (SES), Technical Director, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane; Ms. Karen Burrows (SES) Director, Integrated Warfare Systems Engineering, NAVSEA; Capt. Khary Hembree-Bey, Commanding Officer, NSWC Corona; and Capt. Todd Hutchison, Commanding Officer, NSWC Carderock.
More than 800 employees and contractors from across the 10 Divisions which comprise the Warfare Center Enterprise “One Team” participated in the event using on various social media platforms.
“As the panelists noted today, cultural change is a journey and there is a role for all of us on that journey,” said Ms. Pamela Lisiewicz of the NAVSEA WCs Strategic Planning Team. “This was one good step forward!”