Into the Wind, Against the Tide: Change and the Operational Commander

Abstract

This paper discusses the operational commander's role in ensuring effective change. Its purpose is to answer two basic questions: (1) What are the barriers to operational commanders' effective response to change? and (2) How can commanders successfully overcome these barriers? The paper reviews individual and organizational barriers to effective change using historic examples and studies in communication, psychology, organizational behavior, and decision making. The paper concludes by noting that commanders can best ensure effective change by recognizing their own individual limitations and the limits of bureaucratic organization;, by mentoring innovative subordinates, and by accepting personal professional risks ensure that important innovations are recognized and implemented.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 08, 1994
Accession Number
ADA279635

Entities

People

  • Jay M. Parker

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Doctrine
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Military History
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Psychology
  • Second World War
  • Social Psychology
  • Task Forces
  • Training
  • Unified Combatant Commands
  • War
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Economics
  • Organizational Process Management (OPM).