The Operational Commander and Staff: Procedures for Effective Decision Making

Abstract

This paper examines how group dynamics can influence the decision making and implementation process; how that process can affect the relationship between the operational commander and his staff; and ultimately, how that relationship can affect the success or failure of the operation. Thorough examination of extensive research literature has revealed numerous positive leadership and group dynamics which have contributed to the identification of four procedural criteria which can assist the operation commander and his staff make more effective, rational decisions, and follow through with their implementation. These four procedures have been examined through the comparison of two historical operational case studies--General Lee and his staff at Gettysburg; and Admiral Spruance and his staff at Midway. This paper illustrates that how well operational commanders and their staffs make and implement their decisions can mean the difference between operational success and failure.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 08, 1994
Accession Number
ADA279704

Entities

People

  • Linda S. Speed

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Atmospheres
  • Case Studies
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Governments
  • Group Dynamics
  • Marine Corps
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • New York
  • Personality
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Task Forces
  • Teamwork
  • United States
  • War
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.