Leadership Retreat for Navy Officers Reinforces 7 Habits of Effective People

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Wednesday, 09 September 2009

The Philippine Navy concluded its 4-day Leadership Retreat at the Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay City on 04 September 2009. The activity was attended by 30 junior and mid-level officers from various Fleet-Marine units of the Navy.

Anchored on Franklin Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the activity aims to impart among participants principles and techniques among supervisors that would translate in a highly effective workforce and mission accomplishment. Mr. Simon C. Mossesgeld, a team-building and leadership consultant of the Ateneo de Manila University’s Center for Leadership and Change, Inc facilitated the discussions and workshops during the retreat.

The 7 Habits according to Franklin Covey, a global professional-services firm, include the following: be proactive; begin with the end in mind; put first things first; think win-win; seek first to understand, then to be understood; synergize; sharpen the saw.

The Leadership Retreat initiated by the Center for Naval Leadership and Excellence (CNLE) is one of the ventures of the Center in strengthening leadership and excellence in the Officers Corps in line with the Navy Sail Plan 2020. Just last month, the Center conducted the 8th Leg of its Leadership Forum Series with Justice Secretary Reynato S. Puno as the Guest Speaker.

According to Navy Chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez, these undertakings will greatly improve the professionalism and promote value enhancement among the Navy’s officers personnel. These traits are highly important as the Navy strives to achieve its vision as enunciated in the PN Sail Plan: that by 2020, the Navy shall be strong and credible that the Philippines as a maritime nation can be proud of.