Project ARDENT ECHO

Accelerating Success through Multi-Media Communication, Cooperation, and Collaboration

December 6, 2020

Command Philosophy

Every command has a unique culture. Whether specified or not, there is always a common understanding and impression of a command by both its crew and those outside of the command. This is the culture that defines the crew. The commander’s philosophy is one which guides a crew providing a compass for their behavior and interactions with one another and with those outside of the command as well. My command philosophy has always focused on three key principles:

1) Mutual Respect – While recognizing differences due to rank and position, we will respect each other as fellow human beings and shipmates. We will treat each other as we wish to be treated. We will have a foundation of Mutual Respect.

2) Continuous Improvement – There is always room for improvement in all aspects of our work and our lives. We will use our foundation of mutual respect to facilitate open and honest communications and reporting. We will actively use lessons learned from previous exercises and evolutions to inform and improve subsequent education, training, and evaluation of performance measures. We will have a culture of Continuous Improvement.

3) Mission Accomplishment - By laying a foundation of Mutual Respect and cultivating a culture of Continuous Improvement, we will accomplish our assigned missions. Your priorities are the Mission, the Ship, your Shipmates, and Yourself in that order. Make sure that You, Your Shipmates, and Your Gear are ready to answer all bells. Our Safety and Success rely on You!

December 6, 2020

Am I a Digital Caveman? Am I completely ignorant of my online behaviors and proficiency with digital technology?

Those are a couple of questions I was recently faced with in a class I am taking in an attempt to become a better communicator. I do not consider myself particularly adept at digital technology, but I also do not consider myself to be a novice given my work requirements to be proficient with email, chat, web search and a multitude of other productivity applications.

What I discovered during my digital technology self-analysis was shocking!

By taking an inventory of all of the digital technology and associated media that I use in both my personal and professional life, and then analyzing my use and interaction with this technology in three key steps, I was able to determine both the benefits and the detrimental effects associated with each. This gave me insight into digital technology and associated media I should develop increased proficiency with as well as ones that I should simply discard. The three key steps in conducting the analysis were:

1) Determine the utility of each technology and associated media by function or activity.

2) Determine the amount of time and money I spend on each technology and media.

3) Consider the effects of each digital technology and media on my personal and professional life. Determine if each technology and its media are making me a better professional or a better person.

I discovered a lot about my habits and waste of both time and resources associated with each. By eliminating unnecessary or redundant entertainment applications and taking additional steps to modify my online behavior, I will be able to save an estimated one hour and two minutes per day (over 377 hours per year) as well as $1595.05 per year in service costs. This additional time and money will allow me to focus more attention and resources on my priorities, my family, friends, and co-workers.

If you have not already done so, I highly recommend conducting a similar audit and analysis of your use of digital technology and find out where you can achieve efficiencies. You may just surprise yourself as well!

Mutual Respect - Continuous Improvement - Mission Accomplishment

On Target On Time