CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. --
On Sept. 21 2015,
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced a partnership with LeanIn.Org, an
organization founded by Facebook Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl Sandberg. The
organization promotes workplace equality and leadership diversity, and
encourages peer support. Carter instructed Department of Defense leaders to
publicize and promote the initiative throughout military bases, empowering
service members to work together and “Lean In” to their careers and personal
lives.
Lt. Col. Mary Kate
Flatley, assistant chief of staff of 2nd Marine Logistics Group, was one leader
who quickly recognized the potential impact the organization could have on
Marines, sailors and civilians near Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
The first quarterly
event featured Brig. Gen. Loretta E. Reynolds, commander of U.S. Marine Corps
Forces Cyber Command, who spoke to participants about the importance of
workplace equality and mentorship.
“The piece of advice
that I would give you is: delivery is everything,” said Reynolds at the Jan. 20
event at Camp Lejeune. “When there’s a teachable moment, certainly teach.”
The Camp Lejeune
Chapter of LeanIn.Org hosted its second quarterly event on March 16, 2016, with
guest speaker Nancy Brooks, vice president of procurement for Best Buy, who
Flatley said was chosen based on her military service and successful transition
to a thriving civilian career.
“Her ability to go from
being a lieutenant commander in the Navy and be a chief executive, as a vice president
of procurement for Best Buy, shows how she ‘leaned in’ in her career,” Flatley
said.
Brooks shared her
transition and career experience with attendees, stressing the importance of
networking and taking risks. She believes Lean In is a good tool that can be
utilized to bridge the gap between service members and their civilian
counterparts, diversifying their network and thought bank.
“If all you’ve ever had
is a life experience surrounded by people who are just like yourself, your
diversity of thought will be limited by how you’ve limited it,” Brooks said.
“Just be curious about people and start enabling yourself to connect with them,
and then do the work. It’s not a lot of work to stay connected with them,
because that’s how you [broaden your] network.”
The chapter plans to
continue hosting guest speakers at quarterly events to speak on a range of
topics that will provide valuable knowledge and tools to service members and
civilian personnel. Flatley hopes, with the continued support of the II Marine
Expeditionary Force command, the chapter’s membership and participation will continue
to grow.
For more information on
the Camp Lejeune Chapter and upcoming events, visit: http://leanincircles.org/chapter/camp-lejeune-chapter.