Step Up and Lead Interview with Wendy Stevens, Operations Supervisor at Kansas City Center
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hat was your main motivation to apply to the Air Traffic Leadership Development Program?
The ATLDP provides controllers from lower level facilities the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the Air Traffic Organization (ATO). By immersing myself in this opportunity, I am able to become a better steward of the profession and further develop my competencies as a leader.
What about the curriculum in ATLDP made this program different than others you could have chosen and ultimately most effective? The effectiveness of the ATLDP was unparalleled to other training opportunities I’ve encountered in this organization. The hands on curriculum allows individuals with different learning styles the opportunity to develop skills that may otherwise be difficult to refine. This program also fosters a positive learning environment that allows the cadre and classmates to develop lasting relationships. What did you learn about yourself through this program that you did not know before? I was able to realize that I can achieve anything I put my mind to through this opportunity. Initially, I received feedback from my frontline managers that I wasn't ready for the next step and that I needed to spend more than fifteen years working as a controller before I could lead them. I took everything that was said by all of the managers at my facility, both positive and negative, and used it as an opportunity grow. After attending the ATLDP, I sat down with my managers and went through all of the course material and listened to all of the feedback they had for me. I feel like the course work, supervisor input, and peer support that I’ve experienced has helped me gain the confidence and skill set I needed to be an operational supervisor. What would you say to someone that is considering applying to ATLDP? What words of advice would you give? 4
