“The country needs — and, unless I mistake its temper — the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”
—FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
About the Chat:
FDR’s quote above was a call to the American people to support systematic change to combat the Great Depression, but his words can be applied to leadership at every level in many situations. He challenged people to take action when the path forward was not clear. Meeting this challenge is important in the military, in government, in start-ups, and the rest of the professional world.
One aspect of organizations that make meeting FDR’s challenge difficult is a consistent institutional dilemma: How does one lead, while following? How do you influence change, and conduct the experimentation FDR demanded while executing the strategic direction outlined by your boss, your company’s board, or your commanding officer?
Come hear Commander Jason Wells, US Naval Flight Officer, discuss stories and lessons about the challenges that accompany leading and following as a member of a mission driven organization, such as the United States Navy.
About the Speaker:
Commander Jason Wells is a Naval Flight Officer who was recently the Aviation Officer Community Manager at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, responsible for the personnel policies governing Aviation force structure. Previously, he commanded Special Projects Patrol Squadron Two, flying in Iraq during Operation Inherent Resolve, as well as in other operations throughout Africa and the Pacific. He also served as the Operations Officer of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One, conducting Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance operations worldwide and flew in the NATO campaign over Libya during Operation Unified Protector. Has authored two DoD Electronic Warfare Assessments characterizing the strengths and weaknesses of Service capabilities throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. Jason holds a master’s degree in international business from the University of Maryland, where he studied in Shanghai, and postgraduate research in Space Systems and Computer Science from the Naval Post Graduate School. His research interests include strategic decision-making, force structure implications on strategy development, and mechanisms to characterize the constraints on national security and national defense strategies.
Tuesday, 10/22 7 PM FDR Suite SIGN UP required
Reservations available starting 1 a.m. on Monday 10/14