By MC1 Lewis Hunsaker

NPS alumnus and retired Navy Vice Adm. Michael C. Vitale discusses innovation with NPS students during a Secretary of the Navy Guest Lecture (SGL) at King Auditorium, Aug. 11. During the SGL, Vitale received NPS' Distinguished Alumni Award from President retired Vice Adm. Ronald A. Route.

"It's been 26 years since I've been here. I see a lot of things have stayed the same, and a lot have also changed," said Vitale. "We used to have seven or eight peacocks; we now have Canadian geese, very innovative."

Vitale became interested in innovation while serving as the commander of Navy Installations Command.

"I was trying to get my organization motivated. I knew where I wanted the organization to go. I had the vision. I had the ideas. I thought I had motivated the organization, but after two years, I realized I had not.

"All of you officers are going to be leaders, and at some point in time you will take command. In order to command, you have to build a successful team. In order to build a successful team, you have to have good tools in your toolbox. Today, I would like to add innovation to your toolbox," continued Vitale.

Advocating a particular brand of innovation that recognizes the need for hard work and testing, Vitale calls it, "Innovating with intent." Innovating with intent requires innovators to focus on five distinct steps: visualize/imagine, ideate, test/experiment, lead the change, and educate.

"You have to become the expert in innovation. You have to constantly study. This is not something you are going to do tomorrow," noted Vitale. "When you get back into your commands you are going to try and figure out a better way… don't be afraid of failing.

"At your current level, you are not going to command the culture in your organization. The commanding officer or executive officer may not be into innovation, your challenge is to change that mindset," said Vitale.

As students look toward future SGLs, and the opportunity to submit nominations, President's Student Council Chair Lt. Colleen McDonald encouraged her colleagues to step up and participate.

"SGLs can broaden horizons by presenting ideas not typically covered by NPS coursework or other military requirements," said McDonald. "The goal is to have students get involved, nominate future speakers, and become an active part of the SGL program."