Hello I'm Chip Fulghum Deputy
Under Secretary for the
Management Directorate. I like
to formally welcome you to the
Department of Homeland
Security's executive leadership
team.
Whether you have recently been
promoted from within or a
seasoned senior leader joining
DHS from an outside organization
you have demonstrated leadership
skills that brought you into an
elite cadre of individuals
called to lead our people in the
delivery of the Department's
critical mission.
Congratulations on this honor,
and welcome to the team.
I want to call your attention to
the fact that in your executive
role you will have the
opportunity to interface daily
with the individuals who make up
the Department’s work force.
You will have a significant
impact both on our people and on
the way we execute the
Department's various missions.
So, amidst the congratulations,
the on boarding, the paperwork,
and all the demands of your
transition into your new
position, I ask you to never
lose sight of what is most
important: that from this day
forward, when the men and women
who selflessly work to create a
safer, more secure and resilient
America think of their leaders.
They will be thinking of and
looking to you.
I ask you to take the time to
reflect on this responsibility,
not just now, at the outset of
your DHS executive career but
every single day. Because I
assure you every single day you
will influence how those around
you define leadership.
Remember you always make a
difference. When you choose to
do the wrong thing, we make a
difference. When we choose to do
the right thing,
we make a difference. Or, when
we choose to do nothing,
we make a difference.
The choice is yours. As a leader
within this department you are
called to lead by example with
dignity, stewardship, strategic
vision, and most of all,
integrity. You bear the
responsibility for shaping what
your employees, oversight
bodies, our taxpayers, and the
rest of the world will think
about the Department of Homeland
Security.
In these particularly
challenging times, delivering
our mission demands a ceaseless
commitment to excellence, and I
ask you to reflect on how you
can chart a successful course
throughout your DHS career. As
you assume your new role,
commit to modeling innovation
and continuous improvement.
Both in your skills and
capabilities and the knowledge
that our mission demands. DHS
leaders require agility,
integrity, and collaboration
skills to successfully lead our
dynamic organization.
To support you in this at D-H-S
we have a Leader Development
Framework that establishes
annual development requirements
for all leadership levels.
I also encourage you to seek the
many additional development
resources available to you to
increase your ability to make
sound decisions and line with
how our landscape is
continuously shifting and
evolving
Make sure to take advantage of
the learning opportunities
available. In short, as senior
leaders, we must maintain our
own professional fitness.
Additionally, I challenge you to
seek insight not only from your
own introspection, but to be
courageous enough to turn to
those who follow your lead- your
employees, your supervisors, and
your customers. Remember,
everyone has something to
contribute. As leaders, it is
our job to encourage innovation.
Allow yourself and your team
members to think outside of the
box and when they fail,
we must have their back.
Finally, ensure that you are a
champion for the ability of your
workforce to grow,
learn, and develop. Remain
vigilant of this responsibility
and impact you'll have on not
just your own career, but on the
ability of others to succeed and
grow.
In closing, DHS strives to
create a climate where our
workplaces and practices foster
an engaged,
high-performing and dedicated
workforce. As a DHS senior
executive, you have a
fundamental influence on how
well we deliver on that promise.
Each of us is in the people
business and have an opportunity
to make a difference each day.
I know that you were selected to
your new position as a result of
your values, along with your
technical, and leadership
abilities that you have honed
throughout your career. I am
confident you will bring that
leadership excellence to your
new role as a DHS executive.
Again welcome to our team, and
thank you for your dedication,
your service, and leadership in
support of our people and the
Department's mission.