# Mastering Mentorship: Insights from Colonel Retired Dwayne Wagner

An episode of [The Operational Arch](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1660058003), 6 Feb 2026, 33 min.

Audio: https://anchor.fm/s/c6c2bc14/podcast/play/115134208/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-1-6%2F417608180-44100-2-85b1c229badfb.m4a

In this episode of the Operational Arch podcast, Major Joanna Van Engel interviews Colonel (Retired) Dwayne Wagner,a seasoned Army planner and educator. They delve into the critical topics of mentorship, coaching, and counseling within military leadership, emphasizing the importance of developing junior leaders for long-term success. COL Wagner discusses the shifting dynamics of mentorship post-9/11, the distinct roles of coaching and mentoring, and the symbiotic relationship between officers and NCOs. He also addresses the challenges leaders face in the modern era, influenced by social media and constant scrutiny. Practical insights into creating effective leader development programs and reflections on personal experiences enrich this compelling conversation. 01:03 Introduction and Guest Welcome 02:37 Coaching vs. Mentoring 04:28 Challenges in Mentorship 07:20 Cross-Gender and Cross-Branch Mentorship 09:20 Leadership Development and Self-Improvement 12:57 Officer and NCO Relationships 18:46 Attributes of a Well-Rounded Officer 21:38 Allowing Leaders to Grow and Learn from Mistakes 25:39 Effective Leader Development Programs 31:05 Final Thoughts and Messages

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