Insight and teaching report from the NCO advanced leadership in a multinational enviroments from 25.11.24 - 06.12.24 in KRIENS / SWITZERLAND General Staff Schools
«Leadership» means more than just leading!
Right at the beginning I would like to emphasise that all participants in this instructive and highly interesting multinational course in KRIENS at the General Staff School under the direction of the Professional NCO School were extremely grateful to have been given this unique opportunity to be a part of it. The seamless, smooth and highly professional organisation - from the invitation to the airport transport logistics to the accommodation - deserves special recognition. These first impressions already showed the impressive level of professionalism that characterised the event.
What were the expectations and what content was taught?
The course brought together participants from 25 nations, including twenty NATO members and five partner members. Many of them travelled a considerable distance, which underlines the importance of this further training. The expectations of the participants were manifold, such as networking, improved communication, intercultural exchange, discussions on leadership issues and much more. Great emphasis was placed on ensuring that fun and camaraderie were not neglected.
The course began with an overview of the schedule for the following two weeks, followed by familiarisation sessions, such as presentations about oneself and a cultural evening event followed by dinner in a historical bunker facility that was run as a museum.
An important component was teaching the basics of personal behaviour according to the D.I.S.C model, which was unknown to many of us at the beginning. This helped us to better understand our own and others' behavioural patterns and to form more efficient teams. The group dynamics were worked out using the «Bruce Tuckman» model (“forming, storming, norming, and performing”) and «Smith and Noakes». These findings were applied directly in practical exercises to optimise decision-making processes. One very exciting topic was the correct communication of information or messages to superiors in a solution-orientated manner as a function of a SNCO.
The group work with the aim of developing the characteristics of an NCO was also perceived as very challenging, as was the conduct of critical discussions, which were observed in an exemplary manner by the instructors and rounded off with feedback. Cultural exchange was also a central component of this course. Discussions about cultural differences promoted an understanding of how important it is to adapt one's own behaviour in an international environment.
Another highlight was the interviewer training with camera use, which helped the participants to present themselves confidently in media contexts. An often-quoted motto of the course was «Only those who leave their comfort zone can grow».
The course focussed on practice-oriented learning. One challenge on the topic of decision-making tools, for example, was the construction of an improvised bridge, in which teamwork and decision-making took centre stage.
When I first searched Switzerland on Google, I read that it was «Europe`s most precious diamond». Maybe this was due to the amazing landscapes. Shortly after being here, I discovered that the people were actually what made it the diamond of Europe.
Switzerland brought together the ‹NCO Advanced Leadership Course in a Multinational Environment›. NCOs gathered from 25 different nations. It taught us effective comunication, as well as the importance of having an open mind and understanding of cultural diversity. I learned the importance of respect and it’s benefits as we worked to achieve a common goal. It taught us that friendship, generosity and willingness to share knowledge should not be determined by the language we talk, religion, or nationality. We`ve learned all of this thanks to the instructors and mentors who have been so creative, open-minded, and willing to share their knowledge. They were experts in developing others in a multinational community. They made us step out of our comfort zones and while understanding that this is the only way we can evolve. Our instructors helped us understand that a real leader should create other leaders. This is also tied to ethical reasoning in our decision making process because leaders are challenged on a daily basis to make good decisions. Besides that, they wouldn`t allow us to go back home without having a real Swiss experience – they did their best in giving us their precious time to present us a part of Switzerland`s beauties and local traditions. They taught us many lessons, but the foundations of a good leader that they showed us is what I am taking back to Romania.
I am so grateful for the diamond sparkles that Switzerland shared with us during the ‘NCO Advanced Leadership Course in a Multinational Environment’! It was way much more than I was expecting!
It was an honor to be a student here at the Training and Education Command Armed Forces College!