Challenges of operational Leadership for Today's Commander.
Abstract
Operational level leaders are faced with the challenge of how to effectively deal with a wide array of new technology. Nowhere is this felt more than in the realm of information technology. Rapid advances in this field have led advocates to tout information technology as the panacea to many problems. This "revolution in military affairs" that this new technology promises has critical implications for today's operational commander. This paper examines the several challenges that senior military leaders will be forced to address as technology becomes an ever increasing part of the United States' defense structure. The "tools" needed by the operational commander to tackle these challenges are available and are embedded in an enduring set of leadership functions. A model is presented that attempts to encompass these major operational leadership functions and provide a logical and systematic approach for the senior military leader. The model focuses on a process examining the following functions: develop a vision, gather information, analyze the situation, decide on a course of action, plan and allocate resources, communicate, implement and evaluate results. This paper emphasizes these timeless set of leadership functions and an historical figure (British Field Marshall Sir William Slim) is used to highlight their enduring relevance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 13, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA348858
Entities
People
- Thomas R. Criger
Organizations
- Naval War College