FARGO, N.D. — To lead effectively, supervisors need to understand how to motivate a variety of people who react differently to leadership styles. This week, more than 30
North Dakota National Guard leaders were selected for the opportunity to fine-tune their styles to enhance teamwork among the mix of Soldiers and Airmen who serve in the state.
A Diversity Champions course will progress through three integral phases Wednesday through Friday at the Fargo Armed Forces Reserve Center. Wednesday, Guardsmen will focus on developing leadership qualities, Thursday will be building high-performance teams, and Friday’s focus is leading in your organization.
It’s the first time such a course has been offered for the North Dakota Guard, said Senior Master Sgt. Jason Dura, 119th Wing human resource advisor. The workshop incorporates small-group interactions and exercises to enhance the learning. According to the course description, it “immerses participants into experiential learning processes that put their learning into practice, transforming participants into diversity champions. In addition, it teaches personal leadership skills that can assist the participant in their day-to-day work responsibilities. The three-day course gives participants more opportunities to grasp the concepts of teambuilding, personal leadership and diversity and its role in the workplace.”
The Guard makes every effort to develop effective leaders by offering both military and civilian-oriented courses, such as a two-day Basic Leadership Course and nine-day Leadership Development Course. Diversity Champions is the latest offering to help leaders improve their skills in managing a diverse workforce.
WHO: More than 30 North Dakota National Guardsmen
WHAT: Diversity Champions three-day workshop
WHERE: Fargo Armed Forces Reserve Center, 3920 31st St. N.W., Fargo, N.D.
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22 through Friday, Sept. 24
MEDIA: Media are welcome any time during the course, but we’d recommend the following times, when there will be more visual elements. For a complete course schedule, contact Amy Wieser Willson at 701-451-6130.
- 10:05 a.m. Wednesday: Team Building Process – Blind Trust
- 2:25 p.m. Wednesday: Teambuilding Process – Ball Toss/High Performance Teams
- 3:25 p.m. Wednesday: Teambuilding Process – Lifeboat
- 10:10 a.m. Thursday: Teambuilding Process – Hoops
- 9:10 a.m. Friday: Teambuilding Process – Spider Web
- 2:10 p.m. Friday: Graduation
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Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 3,500 Soldiers and more than 1,800 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Currently, about 150 North Dakota Guardsmen are serving overseas while more than 4,000 remain in the state for emergency response and national defense. For every 10,000 citizens in North Dakota, 52 serve in the North Dakota National Guard, a rate that’s more than four times the national average.