Wanted: Former RCAF (or other) Generals to Mentor Current RCAF Generals

[The Bread Guy]

This from the public tendering site:

.... The Department of National Defence (DND) has a requirement for “as-and-when-requested” executive coaching/mentoring services for General Officers of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) ....

This, from the Statement of Work (attached):

A1.1 Purpose.

The purpose of this Statement of Work (SOW) is to outline the delivery of executive coaching / mentorship services to Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) General Officers (GOs) as part of the RCAF General Officer Professional Development Program.

A1.2 Background.

A study of professional development at the general officer/flag officer level has identified gaps in expertise, cognitive and social abilities as they relate to employment by strategic leaders.

A1.3 The goal of the mentorship program is to provide RCAF GOs an opportunity to receive executive level coaching and mentorship that will help them attain their full potential as senior Air Force leaders. The coaching and mentorship element of the RCAF General Officer Professional Development Program is intended to specifically address individuals’ competency gaps and equip them with the knowledge and perspective required to be successful at the GO level.

A1.4 This training initiative is intended to help new GOs think strategically, operate in a collaborative environment, broaden perspectives and understand the complexities of the national strategic political and military interface in Ottawa. As part of the RCAF General Officer Professional Development Program, this training will enable RCAF GOs to be better equipped for key command positions and senior appointments within the joint environment.

A1.5 The use of former RCAF, Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy GOs, and the use of former DND Executives at the EX 04 level or higher as mentors to the current RCAF GO cadre is paramount to the Program’s success.  Former senior leaders of DND will be able to relate their lessons learned and provide feedback on the challenges that are encountered in the air environment. The mentorship, coaching and guidance received will result in a more strategic thinking senior officer and ultimately aid in the development of future Commanders of the RCAF ....

Am I way too cynical in asking:  if the current system, set up and run by previous GO's, led to this gap, that's the cohort to fix it?

 

[FJAG]

:facepalm:

Just when you get to thinking that things can't get any sillier at the puzzle palace.

This sounds like it's either an admission by the Air Force that their officer development program and their promotion selection criteria are not working or that they need to find jobs for a group of their retired good-old boys.

Let the sarcasm begin.  op:

:cheers:

 

[Halifax Tar]

Its a good thing the Canadian population really doesn't give a hoot about us because this is major :facepalm:

 

[kratz]

:facepalm:

Just when you get to thinking that things can't get any sillier at the puzzle palace.

This sounds like it's either an admission by the Air Force that their officer development program and their promotion selection criteria are not working or that they need to find jobs for a group of their retired good-old boys.

Let the sarcasm begin.  op:

:cheers:

Honestly, the RCAF had a great mentoring pipe system, and then they had to jail the "current mentor"...from Trenton.,
look back and solicit previous mentors.  [/sarcasm]  :warstory:

 

[McG]

A study of professional development at the general officer/flag officer level has identified gaps in ... cognitive and social abilities ...

I wonder if the gaps in cognitive ability have shielded the RCAF generals from seeing the obvious insult here.
:-\

 

[dapaterson]

I think I've found the winning bidder:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMCkZKQU8MA

 

[The Bread Guy]

I think I've found the winning bidder:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMCkZKQU8MA

For the WIN!  :rofl:

 

[Remius]

:facepalm:

Just when you get to thinking that things can't get any sillier at the puzzle palace.

This sounds like it's either an admission by the Air Force that their officer development program and their promotion selection criteria are not working or that they need to find jobs for a group of their retired good-old boys.

Let the sarcasm begin.  op:

:cheers:

Likely door number two...

 

[daftandbarmy]

Clients of mine who have used 'Executive Coaches' that are former employees of the same organization have usually described the experience as an abject failure.

You usually wind up getting a lot of unwanted and stale advice from someone who has no idea about how to provide professional coaching skills, or who was known as a bit of a loser and has put up a 'coaching' shingle just to mooch contracts off his/her buddies.

Executive Coaches are an excellent idea. When in doubt, make sure you hire a professional with an ICF accreditation.

http://www.coachfederation.org/

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Actually having a GO from another service would be good as it opens them to other experiences.

How about a CWO who's job is to keep the GO's  in line. The CWO is immune to the GO and is free to call a spade a spade. The CWO is free to call up WO (also covered under the immunity clause) who can instruct the GO on the finer details of things specific to that WO trade.

 

 

[The Bread Guy]

Actually having a GO from another service would be good as it opens them to other experiences.

True, and might be easier to arrange than hiring former GO's an outside consultant. 

There we go again, making sense, giving this idea the kiss of death  ;D

How about a CWO who's job is to keep the GO's  in line. The CWO is immune to the GO and is free to call a spade a spade. The CWO is free to call up WO (also covered under the immunity clause) who can instruct the GO on the finer details of things specific to that WO trade.

If that's what they REALLY wanted, this might be cheaper/easier ....

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Apparently the Ethiopians when they had an Empire would have a "Keeper of the flywisk" who's job was to ensure young royals would not get uppity and was immune to their power.

It might be useful for the CWO to tag along for the first 6 months to a year of a GO career as a General and also can be assigned if the GO is having issues that need to be addressed. The CWO's would have a very short and defined reporting chain which would be confidential, unless laws were broken.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Apparently the Ethiopians when they had an Empire would have a "Keeper of the flywisk" who's job was to ensure young royals would not get uppity and was immune to their power.

It might be useful for the CWO to tag along for the first 6 months to a year of a GO career as a General and also can be assigned if the GO is having issues that need to be addressed. The CWO's would have a very short and defined reporting chain which would be confidential, unless laws were broken.

The Romans called that job a 'memento mori':

It is said that during the Roman Triumph, in which a great hero was recognized by a procession through the city, generally for a military victory, a slave was positioned behind them, whispering in their ear:

"Memento mori,"  roughly speaking  'Remember that thou art a man.'

http://jessescrossroadscafe.blogspot.ca/2011/07/memento-mori-remember-that-you-are-man.html

 

[The Bread Guy]

Apparently the Ethiopians when they had an Empire would have a "Keeper of the flywisk" who's job was to ensure young royals would not get uppity and was immune to their power.

A variation of the court jester from days of yore, who could often "speak truth to power" more obliquely, but face-to-face.

Now doesn't THAT open up potential gags for this thread ....  >

 

[Old Sweat]

I have viewed this with considerable amusement, verging towards disdain. Doesn't anybody realize how frigging silly this idea is?

 

[daftandbarmy]

I have viewed this with considerable amusement, verging towards disdain. Doesn't anybody realize how frigging silly this idea is?

No, no, no, it's not silly if they hire Terry Tate: ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzToNo7A-94

 

[Tibbson]

This from the public tendering site:This, from the Statement of Work (attached):Am I way too cynical in asking:  if the current system, set up and run by previous GO's, led to this gap, that's the cohort to fix it?

More disturbing in my mind is how the Generals in need got to those lofty heights without these skill sets to begin with?

 

[Tibbson]

Clients of mine who have used 'Executive Coaches' that are former employees of the same organization have usually described the experience as an abject failure.

You usually wind up getting a lot of unwanted and stale advice from someone who has no idea about how to provide professional coaching skills, or who was known as a bit of a loser and has put up a 'coaching' shingle just to mooch contracts off his/her buddies.

Executive Coaches are an excellent idea. When in doubt, make sure you hire a professional with an ICF accreditation.

http://www.coachfederation.org/

Oddly enough, from what I've read, the Japanese make it work but its a very informal system.  Retired executives are still provided with a desk and place to work but they don't get paid and they have no authority.  They merely remain and serve as mentors and corporate memory, if they choose to.  Their council is usually sought and highly regarded.  Cant see it working under out wastern societal model though but it works for them.

 

[The Bread Guy]

I have viewed this with considerable amusement, verging towards disdain. Doesn't anybody realize how frigging silly this idea is?

Sadly, if it made it out as an RFP, it appears an awful lot of hands were involved either 1)  without saying it was a less-than-stellar idea, or 2)  not listening to anyone saying it was a less-than-stellar idea.

 

[cavalryman]

I'll give the RCAF GOs some mentoring for free.... lose the African dictator-style rank-on-the-shoulders-and-sleeves get-up.  You'll get less  :facepalm: that way...

There.... sound advice and the taxpayer is no poorer.  ;D