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# Tobyhanna distribution center hosts pilot of Foundations of High Performing Leadership program

By Jessica RomanDLA Distribution Public Affairs

                TOBYHANNA, Pennsylvania  –              
As the first in a new pilot, leaders at Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Tobyhanna, Pa., recently completed the new Foundations of High Performing Leadership, a week-long training program designed to provide specific tools and knowledge to help plan, teach, and coach employees on a daily basis.  
The program was designed in concert with DLA Distribution Organizational Management and DLA Human Resources, with the goal to develop a culture of high-performing leaders.

Twila Gonzales, Senior Executive Service, deputy commander of DLA Distribution, visited DLA Distribution Tobyhanna to get direct feedback from the first participants.

“Leaders and supervisors have a tremendous role and responsibility to our organization and to our employees to make sure we are prepared and ready to train, develop, and coach our people,” Gonzales said.  “DLA Distribution is a big organization.  Think how powerful we would be if everyone was headed in the same direction and had the same sense of responsibility for taking care of our people.”

The class included several modules focusing on different topics.  In the “Set the Direction” module, leaders discussed how to link the work their team does with the larger picture of the Distribution enterprise, DLA, and ultimately the warfighter.  The class also covered job relations, job instruction, and quality control.

Jason Beavers, one of the participants in the program said, “You can take this training right out onto the floor.  This instruction is broken down so you can easily see the steps and use them quickly.”

Gonzales explained that the emphasis must be on coaching, mentoring, and soliciting feedback so that employees understand expectations and their role in processes.  “It’s important that our employees understand how they fit into the bigger picture, they must see themselves in the bigger view,” she said.  “I believe that builds camaraderie and teamwork.  Getting boxes out the door is important but how we do it is just as important.”

Joseph Malloy, a distribution process worker, said that he expected to use the tools every day.  “The small class size was really helpful to get to practice the new tools,” he said.  “Feedback is so important, and you have to make sure you hear people and they hear you.”

Human Resources instructors led the class, and participants thanked the instructors for their passion and enthusiasm.  “I believe I will take back some of that enthusiasm and share it to help get employee buy-in,” said Dawn Bartron, distribution process worker.  “I’m going to be sure I tell folks why we are doing something, not just what we are doing.”

The training takes a four-hour per day approach, allowing leaders to learn, and then return to work to process the information before taking in more.  The approach was commented on positively by several supervisors.
“If there is one takeaway, it’s how critical you are to the success of our organization and your people,” Gonzales concluded.  “At the end of the day, it’s about being a leader.  Supervision is all about how we develop our people."

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DLADefense Logistics Agency DistributionDLA DistributionDLA Distribution TobyhannaFoundations of High Performing LeadershipTwila GonzalesDeputy DirectorDefense Logistics Agency