W6 Assign1

Chapter 6: Comprehensive Literature Review

Overview

In the course of conducting research for this project, I focused my efforts on the collection of material and information that analyzed the factors that make great military leaders successful. In reviewing this material, against the MMSL curriculum studied for the past 19 months, if became apparent that military leaders are not unique or do not possess differentiating qualities from leaders in the private sector or business world. Leadership is the art or process of influencing an individual or group to achieve a common goal (Northouse, 2016). Whether your goal is advancing on a position during a critical battle or implementing a new manufacturing process that improves the quality of products to enhance customer satisfaction, inspiring and guiding people to achieve a common goal is the bedrock of leadership.

During this research process, I sought to answer the question, what common leadership factors are necessary for great military leaders in the 21st century? Over the course of my adult life, I have served with many great leaders as an active duty member of the U.S. Air Force and now, in my current role, as a Department of Defense Civilian employee. Many of these incredible men and women exuded the admirable qualities of leadership my classmates and I have studied during this incredible journey. At various times while serving under their guiding hands, I pondered the often-asked question, are these leaders made, or are they born with the inordinate ability to lead and inspire people to achieve great things. During my career and throughout this journey, I have concluded that leading is an individual choice made by willing people who accept the mantle of responsibility to serve their organization and the people who comprise it (DePree, 1989). These individuals fully understand and embrace the challenges before by them accepting the responsibility of leadership. No matter the difficulty or complexity of issues they face, these individuals display unequalled dedication to the betterment of others by their choice to accept the obligation of leading.

My focus for answering the question examined in chapter 4, has been to identify and evaluate the basic tenants of great military leaders that have broad applicability to service in the armed forces, regardless of rank or position. In the past, leadership in the military services followed an adherence to rank and positions of authority. When holding the position or rank, the leader's guidance or direction was never to be questioned unless it violated a moral or legal standard. However, the armed forces, certainly my branch, have embarked on a slow transformation in leadership philosophy that accepts and welcomes the questioning of leadership to ensure the thorough examination of ideas and perspectives as well as the open display of commitment to the caring for and concern about the individual members (Black, 1998). The prototypical all-knowing and unquestioned military leader of earlier times has been slowly replaced with a transformational leader who builds dynamic teams through the utilization of the broad and diverse talents of those who encompass their organization. The application of transformational leadership is slowly inculcating the highest levels of military leadership and fundamentally changing how leaders motivate followers to accomplish a shared goal (United States Marine Corp, 2018).

Servant Leadership

My research and literature review focused on the concept of servant leadership as the basic leadership philosophy necessary for great military leaders. Military leadership has historically been characterized by the perception of abusive commanders who mandated strict adherence to the role and power their position held (Cowper, 2000). However, after three decades of continuous engagement in the Middle East, a necessary leadership viewpoint is changing. Military leaders are now focusing on the most critical resource that comprises our institution, the people. A military leader's job is to mentor, serve, and develop those under their charge to reach their fullest potential and prepare them for the many future leadership challenges they will inevitably face (Goldfein, 2001). Servant leadership is the backbone of a leadership philosophy where those in positions of authority care for and develop people to achieve all they are capable of. Today's military is changing. It is not the top-down, centrally controlled monolith of yesteryear, but an organization, which realized that individual members are critical to its long-term viability as an entity (Cowper, 2000).

Building Teams to Lead Positive Change

The second area of research revolved around the critical aspect military leader's face when building teams that lead positive change. By design, military leaders spend approximately two years in command positions then rotate out to allow for the advancement of other leaders. Non-command positions of influence spend three to four years in a position before leaving for other assignments. This short timeframe dictates that leader's diagnosis potential problems quickly and build a guiding coalition to implement needed changes rapidly. This guiding coalition must exude the four characteristics necessary for enacting positive change. The right players must be on board, these players must have the expertise relevant to the task, they must be a credible group in the eyes of those impacted by the change(s), and they must have strong leadership (Kotter, 1996). Military leaders face a daunting task to build teams and implement course corrections in an expeditious manner. However, when military leaders exhibit genuine care and commitment for those in their care, the churn of constant change can be eased by knowing the leader has their best interest at heart.

Embracing Diversity

The third area of research dealt with the military leader's attitude and embracing of the diverse and multicultural environment that makes up the armed forces. The military has long been a melting pot with members of various cultures and ethnicities. The strength of the institution comes from the opinions, ideas, and innovations brimming in the minds of its members. Military leaders cannot rely solely on their experience, perspective, and ideas, but must be open and willing to solicit differing opinions and thoughts to holistically examine a given issue to reach the best possible solution. According to the Commander of Air Mobility Command, "Airman must be bold and innovative, throw out the wild ideas that come from our diverse force, see what sticks and what takes hold" (Everhart, 2018, p. 18). Successful military leaders understand the strength of the organization does not come from their technical and tactical expertise alone, but in the collective power of the innovative minds that make up the institution.

Questioning to Solve Problems

The fourth literature review area focused on the leader's use of questions to solve problems. Much literature espouses the need to and art of questioning to solve problems. The profession of arms has been slow to embrace the art of healthy debate and professional questioning. However, as the education and experience levels of today's military members increases, leaders have come to the realization that asking questions and engaging in debate offers the best possible solutions to organizational challenges. Commanders and leaders must continually ask why to open the dialog that leads to exploring new and creative ways of accomplishing the critical tasks we carry out (Goldfein, 2001). The nature of innovation and creativity begins with challenging the status quo and asking why.

Creating and Espousing a Shared Vision

Finally, the last area of literature review focused on the critical aspect of creating and espousing a shared vision. In the past, military leaders gave orders and directed the actions of subordinates to accomplish the mission. Today, great leaders create a mental picture of what is possible in the minds of their followers that serves as a guide, which leads them towards accomplishment. The vision becomes a force in people's hearts and minds that can lead to incredible achievement and collective power (Senge, 2006). Today's military leaders provide the vision and set the environment; if you focus elsewhere, you are probably doing someone else's job (Goldfein, 2001, p. 23). Given the short time in command of a particular unit, military leaders must make their vision easily understandable and relevant to every member of the organization. Without this inclusivity at the lowest levels, it is merely the commander's vision, not a shared idea. Senior leaders in any organization, must continually reaffirm the present reality, but more importantly, continue to spread the overarching image of what is possible and where the institution is going in the future (Wilson, 2018).

Once could make a case that any number of leadership qualities are necessary for successful military leaders. Literature is replete with ideas, thoughts, and concepts of leadership that, if applied correctly, would reasonably ensure success on the battlefield or in the corporate boardroom. However, in building the direction of this project and my examination of literature, the common factors of servant leadership, teambuilding, embracing diversity, questioning, and creating vision came to the forefront. Further research endeavors may delve into additional factors, which could reasonably ensure military leadership success. I am certain, many factors play a critical role in building todays leaders, the five specific traits I examined set the 21st century military leader on the path to success.

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