Focus Group Reflections
EDL 531
October 27, 2014
Professor Jonathon Wennstrom
Abstract
The following document reflects an active interview with two training managers for the Department of Defense (DoD) Housing Branch. Nancy Barnes is a branch chief for the housing office at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Bernice Ivory is the training program manager for all the housing personnel for the housing career field. These two training managers were chosen due to the level of experience, variations in job scope of training and mentoring and the range in which each person reaches in the positions in which they each hold.
Focus Group Reflections
What qualities must be demonstrated to be an effective coach/mentor?
Mrs. Barnes provides all necessary written standards necessary to be successful in the job. Mrs. Barnes sits with each of her employees and interns to work on a semi-annual and annual program which will consist of training that requires travel and on the job training. Monthly, Mrs. Barnes meets with staff to discuss goals achieved and prepare for the coming month to ensure goals will continue to be met. Mrs. Barnes stated, to be a good mentor there requires open communication, consistency, monitoring, and the flexibility to change. The mentor is required to be patient, flexible, diverse and open to constant changes necessary to empower the employee into being successful in a very globally diverse organization, such as the Army is.
Mrs. Ivory establishes training programs for all housing personnel. Mrs. Ivory develops training based on installation needs, globally. Mrs. Ivory stated open communication with all feedback and requests are essential in providing the best training available. Mrs. Ivory seeks out trainings and trainer who will provide not just the essential training necessary to complete the job but also individuals who will mentor employees into being successful in the career field. Mrs. Ivory seeks out individuals who will be...