Liderança na Escola Naval: preparando futuros Oficiais líderes do século XXI

Abstract

The main purpose of this academic work is to presen t suggestions for improving the teaching of leadership at the Brazilian Naval Academy. Recen tly, the Brazilian Navy Commandant expressed his concern with the crisis of ethical an d moral values in society, with negative consequences for leadership. Considering the future Brazilian Navy Officer is molded by this society, it is essential to focus on and improve th e process used in leadership training at the Brazilian Naval Academy in order to create a succes sful generation of Officers, the leaders of the twenty-first century. In such an educational In stitution, the atmosphere is completely conducive to their development. The faculty is very qualified, the physical facilities are exceptional, and there is a context of ethical valu es and professionalism that contributes to the maturation of the Midshipmen, favoring a sublime mo ral education which espouses honor, dignity, loyalty, and patriotism. The curriculum, a pproved by the Board of Education of the Brazilian Navy, proposes to promote the internaliza tion of organizational values as well as the autonomy of thought and decisiveness. Leadership is primarily exercised by the class of the fourth-year students, with the supervision and guid ance of the Officers, Teachers and Instructors, especially the Officers subordinate to the Commandant of Midshipmen, on whom the students rely. The theoretical and practical as pects of teaching Leadership were focused, including: academic learning; the psychological, be havioral and sociological aspects involved in the process; the interaction of different genera tions of people; and the important role of the educator who has the role of mentor and tutor for t he student. Considering the analysis of the results from the survey answered by the Midshipmen, recently-graduated Officers, Leadership Instructors, Commandant and Deputy Commandant of Mi dshipmen, other Officers as well as a former and current Commandant of the Brazilian Na val Academy, and also based on his experience and lessons learned as former Commandant of Midshipmen, the author made suggestions for improving the teaching of leadershi p at the Brazilian Naval Academy, in order to better prepare the future Brazilian Officer for challenges of the XXI century, among which the adoption of a training program for mentors, the implementation of Leadership symposia, the establishment of a Center for Leadership Games, the activation of a mentoring program for Midshipmen, the stimulus for the formation, sin ce graduation, of strategic thinking and the creation of a Research Center for Leadership. Thus, in the future the Brazilian Navy Officer will be well prepared to overcome the uncertainties and challenges in the twenty-first century.