Military Leadership Essay
As a leader the thought of everyone moving at the same pace is unrealistic. Through inspiration, motivation and the acceptance of collective ideas the transformational leader will succeed during tough times. The book, ‘Secrets of special OPS leadership dare the impossible, achieve the extraordinary’ uses special operations units such as the Navy Seals, Green Berets, and Delta Forces to showcase how the military uses special leaders to tackle physical task and missions (Cohen, 2006). Similarly as special forces are required for basic errands in fight, ultra-high achievers are required for unique conditions in business: circumstances where time is imperative, when assets are low or inadequate, where you are testing standard way of thinking or set up contenders, or where emergency is up and coming. Just as elite Special Forces are needed to work high intensity missions, the modern transformational leader is needed to work at a high operations tempo and display transformational leader characteristics. The presence
…show more content…
of females is something General MacArthur did not have to deal with or entertain. From drill sergeants to three-star generals, the United States military has opened doors that were once male only opportunities to now embracing gender equality. This is something that units like the Navy Seals now have to take into account especially when the leader (transformational) conducts risk analysis. Although there are little studies that show how female transformational leaders make the combat environment better (or worse), there are greater opportunities for females in combat. Recently the United States military has been engaged in combat intensive deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and neighboring countries.
Concern is growing that post deployment health consequences among United States military personnel maybe be considerable with lasting effects on the individual, their families, and the units (subordinates) they may lead. Senior leaders overlook their own personal issues for the betterment of the team. The dissertation, ‘Changes in military leaders’ transformational leadership styles after trauma’ examined the perceived effects on the transformational leader after exposure to a traumatic event through the eyes of their followers (Kramer, 2014). This study was used to explore followers’ perceptions of changes in leadership styles when evidence of post-traumatic stress were visible. Visible changes included emotional and behavioral changes which prohibited the ability to strategize, communicate, and
motivate. An estimated 14 to 16 percent of service members develop clinical symptoms that impair functioning and are significant enough to result in a clinical diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (Kramer, 2014). When a leader suffers from post-traumatic stress as a result of a traumatic event such as combat, the result could diminish leadership abilities. As Gini and Green’s character traits implied, the transformational leader must have the ability to share the vision, invite innovativeness and sacrifice for the betterment of the organization. Although the military is making strides to diagnose and treat post-traumatic stress injuries earlier, if left untreated the transformational leader will have a negative impact on the organization. The Cold War had its share of successes and failures however, as time goes on, so does the evolution of the transformational leader. No longer relying on singular minded decisions, leaders must rely on the teams in order to maintain success. Open communication is paramount and communication plays an integral role in today’s transformational leadership. In the book, ‘Open leadership: how social technology can transform the way you lead’ Li (2010) states, “relational leadership and passing knowledge are two specific areas that leaders must emphasize, which may perhaps produce an environment of possibilities through continuous and correct communication and relationship building” (Li, 2010, pg). From imparting the vision to entertaining new ideas, transformational leaders are required to effectively communicate within the organization. Leaders must stay in tune to new technologies that are available to make collaboration effective and more efficient.
of females is something General MacArthur did not have to deal with or entertain. From drill sergeants to three-star generals, the United States military has opened doors that were once male only opportunities to now embracing gender equality. This is something that units like the Navy Seals now have to take into account especially when the leader (transformational) conducts risk analysis. Although there are little studies that show how female transformational leaders make the combat environment better (or worse), there are greater opportunities for females in combat. Recently the United States military has been engaged in combat intensive deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and neighboring countries.
Concern is growing that post deployment health consequences among United States military personnel maybe be considerable with lasting effects on the individual, their families, and the units (subordinates) they may lead. Senior leaders overlook their own personal issues for the betterment of the team. The dissertation, ‘Changes in military leaders’ transformational leadership styles after trauma’ examined the perceived effects on the transformational leader after exposure to a traumatic event through the eyes of their followers (Kramer, 2014). This study was used to explore followers’ perceptions of changes in leadership styles when evidence of post-traumatic stress were visible. Visible changes included emotional and behavioral changes which prohibited the ability to strategize, communicate, and
motivate. An estimated 14 to 16 percent of service members develop clinical symptoms that impair functioning and are significant enough to result in a clinical diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (Kramer, 2014). When a leader suffers from post-traumatic stress as a result of a traumatic event such as combat, the result could diminish leadership abilities. As Gini and Green’s character traits implied, the transformational leader must have the ability to share the vision, invite innovativeness and sacrifice for the betterment of the organization. Although the military is making strides to diagnose and treat post-traumatic stress injuries earlier, if left untreated the transformational leader will have a negative impact on the organization. The Cold War had its share of successes and failures however, as time goes on, so does the evolution of the transformational leader. No longer relying on singular minded decisions, leaders must rely on the teams in order to maintain success. Open communication is paramount and communication plays an integral role in today’s transformational leadership. In the book, ‘Open leadership: how social technology can transform the way you lead’ Li (2010) states, “relational leadership and passing knowledge are two specific areas that leaders must emphasize, which may perhaps produce an environment of possibilities through continuous and correct communication and relationship building” (Li, 2010, pg). From imparting the vision to entertaining new ideas, transformational leaders are required to effectively communicate within the organization. Leaders must stay in tune to new technologies that are available to make collaboration effective and more efficient.