Advanced Readiness Operational Course (AROC) – A Framework for Enterprise-Wide Improvement in Navy Medicine, Utilizing the Get Real Get Better Mindset
Client: Navy Medicine
To scale and integrate the “Get Real, Get Better” (GRGB) philosophy introduced by Admiral Gilday, the 32nd Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Medicine sought a structured approach that could reach mid-level managers and leaders. Though GRGB echoes Continuous Process Improvement principles, its distinct focus lies in two key components: individual leadership development (“Get Real”) and root cause problem-solving (“Get Better”).
Get Real – Developing leaders to embrace challenges and cultivate inquisitiveness, self-assessment, and self-learning within their teams
Get Better – Using tools like the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology to solve root cause issues
The Challenge
The challenge was to translate these principles into a comprehensive training framework that drives leadership development and cultivates expertise in process improvement. The course was designed to
- Enhance leaders’ abilities to improve their environments
- Equip leaders to hear the “voice of the customer” concerning their individual commands
- Instill a culture of feedback and accountability
NOVACES delivered the GRGB for Champions Course to build leadership capacity within the officer community first, and the Naval Medical Leader and Professional Development Command broadened the program’s reach by embedding it into the Senior Enlisted Course.
Solutions Delivered
Now, while the AROC and Senior Enlisted Course utilize a systematic data-driven process, their true power lies in their alignment with the core ideologies of the GRGB philosophy.
Get Real: Leaders are trained to understand “ground truth” by directly engaging with the workforce and sailors, fostering a culture of inquiry and reflection. This aligns with GRGB’s focus on inquisitiveness and self-assessment, encouraging leaders to actively seek out and understand the challenges their teams face.
Get Better: GB does not stop at gathering feedback; it utilizes advanced data analysis techniques to identify root causes of issues impacting workforce engagement and retention. This data−driven approach reflects the “Get Better” principle of employing proven methodologies like DMAIC.
Establishing feedback loops and ongoing monitoring mechanisms ensures that implemented solutions are continuously assessed for effectiveness and refined based on evolving needs, aligning with GRGB’s emphasis on iterative progress and learning.
In essence, concepts are operationalized using the GRGB philosophy by providing a structured framework for leaders to “Get Real” about their workforce’s experiences and “Get Better” at addressing their needs through data-driven insights and continuous improvement.
Key Takeaways
By integrating “Get Real, Get Better” as a structured enterprise-wide framework, Navy Medicine has shifted from reactive problem-solving to proactive, data-driven leadership. This investment in skills development embeds continuous improvement strategies into the core of Sailor development, grounded in the values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Navy Medicine was able to achieve transformative results:
Stronger Alignment Between Leaders & Workforce
Leaders gained data-driven insights into sailors’ experiences, enabling informed decision-making and policy adjustments.
Embedded Continuous Feedback
The GRGB framework has become integral to Navy Medicine’s change management, ensuring ongoing alignment between leadership actions and individual sailor and officer needs.
Enhanced Operational Efficiency
Integrating GRGB into its improvement framework has strengthened Navy Medicine’s ability to proactively address challenges and foster a culture of continuous improvement.