Relationship Between Leader Knowledge, Directive Behavior, and Performance in Administrative, Technical, and Combat Situations
Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of data acquired in previous ARI officer prediction research to learn to what extent two broad characteristics of officer behavior--military knowledge and directiveness/decisiveness--are associated with superior performance in the three major areas of officer assignments--combat, technical, and administrative. Four groups of officers were identified: high knowledge and high decisiveness, high knowledge and low decisiveness, low knowledge and high decisiveness, and low knowledge and low decisiveness. Performance scores and observations of decisiveness obtained for each officer were analyzed with respect to officers' technical and tactical knowledge. Superior performance was found to be positively related to both military knowledge and decisiveness. Knowledge, whether technical or tactical in content, was more important in administrative and technical situations. Decisiveness was markedly more important in combat situations. The analysis confirmed the importance of matching an officer's leadership style and qualifications to the requirements of an assignment to insure effective performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA085101
Entities
People
- J. E. Uhlaner
- William H. Helme
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences