Overview

"In this inspirational and informative ""lessons learned"" guide to teamwork, mentorship, growth, and development, highly accomplished U.S. Navy Captain Dana R. Gordon gives readers valuable insights into the things that have helped him in his life and career-all the way from being a successful high school student-athlete, college engineering student, to being a U.S. Naval aviator, decorated ship's captain, and now the Director of Engineering at Fanatics, Inc. His objective was not to write a ""this is how it should be done"" or ""how to do it"" book on teamwork, but to provide insight into some of the most important things that helped him along the way. He hopes readers will find inspiration through his interpretation of the various quotes, phrases, and words of wisdom that have been a part of his growth and development throughout the various stages of his life and career."

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9781638377399

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Reviews

Somewhat tongue-in-cheek, Dana R. Gordon professes that the book TEAM: Training, Education, and Mentorship was not intended to be a thesis on teamwork and leadership. Instead, he wanted to give the reader a peek into the insights he gained and developed from his stint in the US Navy and his post-military career with his somewhat autobiographical, but mostly historical tome. The idea of becoming a bridge builder, a person who creates enduring legacies for others to follow and use the ideas presented in the book and his personal history as a backdrop or inspiration to leap over the obstacles or divides in their lives, whether personal or work-related, speaks volumes of the man the author has become after 29 years of a decorated military career. How he was able to fit his life's work in a concise 110-page volume is beyond me! The theme of bridge builder occurs throughout the book and helps the reader understand why it lies at the heart of training, education, and mentorship. Right off the bat, the author remembers with affection the tough love approach of his mentors at Columbia High School that ingrained in him the philosophy of accountability for one's work and actions. While in the navy, he learned that inclusivity and listening to others who are smarter or subject matter experts are very important and serve one in good stead when making decisions of utmost importance. He reflects on the beauty of diversification in his stint as ship commander of the USS IWO JIMA and believes that respect for the uniqueness of each individual is paramount. When it was time to take on a mentorship role, the author sought out and developed exceptional leaders that made his team the most cohesive and best-performing unit in the navy. Dana R. Gordon's natural flair for story-telling (spicy anecdotes interspersed with honest-to-goodness principles of leadership and teamwork) makes his book an interesting and hard-to-put down read. Real leaders worth their salt and aspiring ones will learn a thing or two. Bottomline, a team works best when you have leaders brimming with passion and heart. The Moving Words Review

Author Information

A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Captain Dana R. Gordon graduated from Georgia Tech with a BS in electrical engineering, and was commissioned as a naval officer through that school's NROTC program. He later attended flight school in Pensacola, Florida, where he learned to fly both fixed wing turbo prop aircraft and helicopters, earning his U.S. Navy Wings of Gold as an Unrestricted Naval Aviator. During his naval career he also earned his MBA from Embry-Riddle University, and completed coursework at the Harvard Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Throughout his 29-year career in the U.S. Navy, Captain Gordon completed six deployments onboard numerous navy ships, gaining over six years of total sea duty time while flying over 3,540 flight hours, seeing 19 countries on 5 continents, and sailing over 8 major oceans and seas throughout the world. He completed a tour at the Pentagon as a member of the Joint Staff, was the Commanding Officer at Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Four Two, and worked as the Navy's Head Aviation Diversity Officer, where he was named as one of Diversity MBA Magazine's top 100 Under 50 Diverse Executive and Emerging Leaders throughout the United States. He did another tour at the Pentagon as an aide to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, after which he was chosen by Senior Naval Leadership to command the Amphibious Assault Aircraft Carrier USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7), one of the largest ships in the U.S. Navy's fleet. Captain Gordon also successfully led the Navy Southeastern Region's Crisis Action Team through the preparation, response, and evacuation operations of five major hurricanes. Accolades and honors Captain Gordon has received over his career include two Naval Air Flight Medals, two Sikorsky Aviation Rescue pins, Instructor Pilot of the Year, Squadron and Air Wing's Officer of the Year. He is a two-time Naval Air Forces and Navy and Marine Association Leadership Award winner, and as Commanding Officer also led his squadron to the Battle Efficiency Award as Best in Air Wing winner for three straight years, while also receiving the Secretary of the Navy's Aviation Safety award. As a ship Commanding Officer he led his team to the Navy's Battle Efficiency Award as the Best Ship in Its Class, along with the Secretary of the Navy's Safety and Personnel Retention Awards. After 29 wonderfully fulfilling, eventful, and rewarding years as an officer and aviator in the world's greatest navy, Captain Gordon and his wife of 28 years retired to Jacksonville, Florida, where they now reside. The proud father of two highly competitive soccer players, he is currently employed as the Director of Engineering at Fanatics, Inc. and has been a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity for over 33 years.

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