As our leaders prepare to address House and Senate committees on a variety of issues impacting the Department of Navy’s ability to accomplish its mission, I would like to speak to you, our civilian workforce, about the importance of communication and offer some brief professional guidance on this topic. Regardless of one’s role or rank in the organization, we should remember three vital elements of communication:

First, dialogue between leaders and team members is key. Dialogue requires not only speaking but listening as well - team members are often responsible for providing timely and relevant information to their leaders. And leaders being engaged with their team can then help us navigate through the upcoming challenges.

Second, clear and concise writing must remain a priority in our daily work. Sound analysis and supporting facts facilitate success and timely decision making.

Finally, leaders must be able to articulate the challenges, impacts and opportunities ahead, making the connection between the priorities of the Department and those of the nation. Leaders must have a thorough understanding of these circumstances and how potential impacts will affect the organization in its totality.

So, whether you are providing content for a testimony, reporting cutting edge research findings to your colleagues, reviewing a contract, writing an action memo for your leadership, or meeting with our fleet to discuss operational issues, keep in mind the concepts of dialogue, concise writing and articulating the issue in context. Through our communication, we all have a part in accomplishing the critical mission of the DON.