George C. Marshall Strategic Leadership Competencies: Lessons for Today's Strategic Leaders
Abstract
A visionary military officer and civilian leader, General George C. Marshall was an innovative strategic leader who can provide vital lessons for today's strategic leaders. General Marshall used his well-developed strategic leader competencies to influence key stakeholders through a detailed strategic communications plan, and to build consensus while synchronizing interagency capabilities. The Marshall Plan was an in-depth and well-articulated post-World War II plan that fostered an interagency approach to reconstruction in Europe in support of American national interests. The Marshall Plan resulted in a myriad of new military and economic alliances. In today's globally interconnected world, American strategy demands strategic leaders who are adept at developing and executing strategic communications that build consensus and synchronize interagency capabilities. The 21st century threats our nation faces span the spectrum of conflict, and it is vital that today's leaders learn from a master like General Marshall. This paper examines the competencies exhibited by George W. Bush and Barack Obama during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and compares them to the competencies that General Marshall exhibited during the post-World War II period. These competencies are strategic communications, consensus building, and interagency coordination. The competencies exhibited by key personnel in the Bush and Obama administrations also are analyzed, particularly those of Secretary Donald Rumsfeld; Vice President Dick Cheney; Secretary Colin Powell; Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary Hillary Clinton; and General David Petraeus.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 25, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA517939
Entities
People
- Jeffrey A. Boyer
Organizations
- United States Army War College