George C. Marshall: The Essential Strategic Leader
Abstract
The complexity of the 21st century operational environment, the Global War on Terrorism, and on-going Army transformation require more of Army leaders at all levels. One can apply lessons learned from General George C. Marshall's career when developing today's leadership programs. George Marshall had unique foreign, domestic, and wartime experiences from his commissioning to his final military assignment as Army Chief of Staff. General Marshall displayed certain talents and abilities that allowed him to function with, be accepted by, and finally be chosen by national civilian authority for service as Secretary of State. These attributes, elements of character, and calculated uses of the strategic art enabled the creation or expansion of skills that facilitated strategic leadership at an unprecedented scale. This paper examines Marshall's character, education, experiences, and decisions, and then coordinates these characteristics with selected Pentathlete skills and metacompetencies to form strategic leader essentials. Cultural adjustment, institutional change, professional education, and self-awareness recommendations are suggested to improve leadership development for contemporary officer leaders in the Army.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 30, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA469633
Entities
People
- Jeffrey S. Tipton
Organizations
- United States Army War College