Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Yokosuka, Japan, is a unique
workforce that supports U.S. forces in the region, but is largely made up of
local national employees. To help improve
communication and empowerment of these employees, the distribution center
established a Command Culture Center of Excellence and Diversity Inclusion
Committee, responsible for addressing the constant change and modification that
improving culture requires.
“Culture is a dynamic ‘entity’ which is always evolving and changing, and
for leaders, positive organizational culture is a worthy goal to achieve,” said
Navy Cmdr. Brian Johnson, the distribution center’s commander.
Organizational culture and command climate is broad
spectrum as values, beliefs, myths, traditions, and norms all play a
part. Once set, commonly
shared interpretations, values, and patterns are difficult to
modify.
Tomo Ookubo serves as the cultural champion at the distribution
center. In this role, Ookubo coordinated four
tours to local logistics companies to provide awareness and developmental
opportunities to aid employee professional growth and to expose them to
cutting-edge distribution technology. One tour was to the Black Cat Logistics
Terminal, whose network covers every corner of Japan and handles over 1.4
billion parcels a year, making it the largest individual parcel delivery service
in Japan.
Additionally, Ookubo translates Culture Center of Excellence
materials, including diversity and inclusion materials, into the native Kanji,
so the local labor force can be kept apprised of current
information.
As a result of the 2016 DLA Distribution diversity plan, the Cultural
Center of Excellence team, along with Tom LaBelle, Equal Employment Opportunity
specialist, is developing a Diversity and Inclusion team.
The team will address the goals and vision of the
diversity plan by analyzing current workforce diversity rates. The team will also plan and coordinate
observances throughout the year, focusing on inclusion and the promotion of
cross-cultural and cross-gender awareness for active duty military, government
civilians, and the Japanese labor force.
The Diversity and Inclusion Team is divided into five committees,
each focusing on a different diverse focus area.
One committee, the Special Emphasis Program committee, kicked off their
season with a special introduction to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in
January. The committee learned that Dr. King
wrote a letter to the people of Japan, expressing his desire to
visit. In addition,
Hiroshima, Japan, is one of the only cities outside of North America to honor
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In large part, this is a result of the efforts of the former Hiroshima
Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba, who often used King’s words in his speeches to better
articulate the argument for nuclear disarmament.
“All
said, addressing organization culture is not just a onetime ‘hit and run’ event,
it requires constant change and modification,” said Johnson. “We
look to reach our goals through training, education, messaging, and using
supervisory and non-supervisory councils as feedback mechanisms.”