Literary Review on Leadership and Cultural Change
How would leadership accomplish successful cultural change in my organization?
Challenges to Leadership
The United States military has taken claim to making some of the greatest leaders of our time, as an ever evolving force its claim has stood the test of time. However with completely new concepts in the service members landscape, cultural change is imperative and leadership will play the important role of establishing the criterion of which service members must adhere to. “Nowhere is this more evident than the challenges confronting the United States Army” (Hargrove & Sitkin, 2011, p. 528). Young soldiers, marines, or airmen have always been and will continue to be ushered into leadership positions. “many of whom are extremely young and inexperienced, and find themselves thrust into positions with high levels of responsibility, where there decisions can be subject to public attention and carry significant consequences” (Hargrove & Sitkin, 2011, p. 528). From the day they enter the service they are challenged to set the example and lead their peers “Leadership is instilled in officers and SNCOs every day to motivate and encourage those they may lead. A leader is not just an officer or SNCO, but anyone who is up to the challenge” (Shannan Hansen, 2011). The standard that they establish must be inlayed by strong decisive figures, those who lead from the front, leaders who themselves will first have to grapple with the cultural shift before them.
Cultural Progression Factors
The culture shift of the military is a compilation of several years of change that are converging upon the military service member simultaneously. “However, to survive and thrive in a dynamic world, culture must adapt to changing conditions” (Dunivin, 1997) Change has been consistent within the services as written from a military member in the mid 1970’s “Many of the traditional characteristics of the military profession are subject to the influence of societal trends” (William
Challenges to Leadership
The United States military has taken claim to making some of the greatest leaders of our time, as an ever evolving force its claim has stood the test of time. However with completely new concepts in the service members landscape, cultural change is imperative and leadership will play the important role of establishing the criterion of which service members must adhere to. “Nowhere is this more evident than the challenges confronting the United States Army” (Hargrove & Sitkin, 2011, p. 528). Young soldiers, marines, or airmen have always been and will continue to be ushered into leadership positions. “many of whom are extremely young and inexperienced, and find themselves thrust into positions with high levels of responsibility, where there decisions can be subject to public attention and carry significant consequences” (Hargrove & Sitkin, 2011, p. 528). From the day they enter the service they are challenged to set the example and lead their peers “Leadership is instilled in officers and SNCOs every day to motivate and encourage those they may lead. A leader is not just an officer or SNCO, but anyone who is up to the challenge” (Shannan Hansen, 2011). The standard that they establish must be inlayed by strong decisive figures, those who lead from the front, leaders who themselves will first have to grapple with the cultural shift before them.
Cultural Progression Factors
The culture shift of the military is a compilation of several years of change that are converging upon the military service member simultaneously. “However, to survive and thrive in a dynamic world, culture must adapt to changing conditions” (Dunivin, 1997) Change has been consistent within the services as written from a military member in the mid 1970’s “Many of the traditional characteristics of the military profession are subject to the influence of societal trends” (William
References: Air Force. (2010, October 7). Air Force. Retrieved March 13, 2013, from 'Aim High... Fly-Fight-Win ' to be Air Force motto: http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123225546 Colon-Lopez, R Denning, S. (2011, July 23). How Do You Change An Organizational Culture? Retrieved March 13, 2013, from Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedenning/2011/07/23/how-do-you-change-an-organizational-culture/ Dunivin, L Everstine, B. (2012, 12 13). Extent of Guard cuts resurfaces in defense bill. Retrieved 03 05, 2013, from AirForceTimes: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2012/12/air-force-defense-bill-budget-guard-cuts-121312w/ Fisher, F Francisco, B., & Slater, S. (2013, 03 01). Still awaiting word on cuts. Retrieved 03 05, 2013, from Jornalgazette.net: http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130301/LOCAL12/303019971/1028/LOCAL12 Hargrove, D., & Sitkin, S Michaelis, P. R., & Spain, E. S. (2005). Knowledge shared is power. Leader to Leader, 60-66. Shannan Hansen, 1. (2011, June 10). Motivating Airmen: Leadership across the spectrum. Retrieved March 13, 2013, from Peninsula Warrior: http://www.peninsulawarrior.com/news/commentary/article_d04b4c8a-92cf-11e0-9bab-001cc4c002e0.html Shere, K Spector, B. (2012). Implementing Organizational Change: Theory Into Practice, Second Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Learning Solutions. William J. Taylor, J. (1977). Military Professionals in Changing Times. Public Administration Review, 37(6), 633.