Leadership Blog Series Part Two: Kerrin Dame

In recognition of Edgewood Chemical Biological Center's November Leadership Month, a special blog series featuring ECBC employee responses on what it takes to be an effective leader will be featured on the blog throughout the month of November. This second installment features Kerrin Dame, Physical Scientist for the Detection Engineering Branch of the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC).

Over the course of my 25-year career in federal service, I have been blessed with many great supervisors. Some of my most influential supervisors were men and women who were able to foster an environment of trust and respect in those around them and were people I considered to be of high integrity. 

I have learned as a Mom (my most important job!) that our children are constantly watching us, whether we realize it or not, and our behavior will be reflected in their behavior at some point. The old saying “Be careful the friends you chose, as you will become like them,” is as relevant today as it was when first written. A leader’s behavior can positively or negatively reflect on his subordinates and others around him or her. An effective leader will strive to be a good example for others and always give 100 percent, no matter what they are doing. They are transparent with no hidden agendas and want to do what is best for the team, not just for themselves. An effective leader is open to suggestions from others who may be able to see things from a different perspective. They do the “next right thing” no matter what others around them are doing. 

 Most importantly to me, a good leader will listen, listen, listen, and will think before speaking. An effective leader is kinder than he or she needs to be. These traits help to build an environment of trust and respect, in which people can work together to successfully accomplish common goals.

Kerrin Dame serves as a Physical Scientist for the Detection Engineering Branch of the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC).  Ms. Dame holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Unity College in Maine.

The content in this blog entry does not represent the views or beliefs of ECBC, its employees, its management or the federal government.