Advancing My Leadership

From March 20-27, 2026, I traveled to Palermo, Italy, as part of a 10-cadet delegation from Norwich University to participate in the International Forum on Peace, Security, and Prosperity (IFPSP). The forum, themed "Creating Adaptive Forces: Building Military Resilience in a Changing International Landscape," provided the opportunity to explore "multi-domain resilience," the idea that resilience is a strategic asset developed across psychological, informational, and organizational domains. I was also able to present a poster focused on the history of alliance-building and partner-building by US Special Forces in the Pacific. Beyond the formal panels, the experience was defined by cultural immersion, including navigating the historic winding streets of Palermo, visiting the centuries-old catacombs, and observing a truly unique religious procession leading up to Easter.

This experience significantly advanced my leadership development by forcing me to confront the visceral reality of American hegemony. As the only American in many small working groups, I realized that my international peers looked to me to bear the mantle of leadership and settle disputes. I also had to navigate negative stereotypes of Americans as "loud" or "bombastic," leaning into a more reserved, facilitative style that prioritized intentional listening over dominating the discussion. I learned that effective leadership in a diverse environment is about enabling others to contribute to the benefit of the whole team.

A pivotal cross-cultural exchange occurred during a gathering at the Italian Army Club, where I engaged in an "impromptu summit" with cadets from South Africa, the United Kingdom, and various European nations. We discussed a wide variety of topics, ranging from the South African cadets' concerns about their nation's shift toward BRICS to European anxieties regarding the future of NATO and the possibility of U.S. forces being drawn away to the Middle East or China. By clarifying the U.S. lawmaking process, our governmental system, and our strategic focus on China, I was able to calm their concerns and work towards mutual understanding. I was also able to make a personal connection with Cadet Måna Almgren from the Swedish Delegation, who agreed to show me around Stockholm when I visit there this summer. We also discussed the role that Chinese information warfare is spreading into the North Sea over the past few years and how the Swedes have been trying to handle it.