Analysis of Military Leadership - Article Example

Analysis of Military Leadership Leadership is an essential component of human race since it offers guidance and direction in making decisions in daily life. Therefore, it determines whether a person fails or becomes successful in life. This depends on the appropriateness or practicality of the leadership style involved. Moreover, the success of organizations and institutions depends on the type of leadership offered. In case of poor leadership, the organizations are doomed and when the leadership is good, the organization is destined for success. Therefore, managers need to adopt good leadership styles in order to ensure that respective organizations or sectors become successful, thus facilitating achievement of set goals and objectives. An officer commanding a naval military ship needs to adopt effective and appropriate leadership style in order to meet the goals of the entire crew thereby being regarded as successful in their mission. This is because it is the commanding officer who is looked upon to offer direction and give orders on the course of action to be taken by the junior officers. Therefore, in case poor decisions are arrived at due to weak leadership, the entire crew will fail and the blame for failure will entirely lie upon the commanding officer in charge (Labarre, 1999, p.1). In order to reduce chances of failure, a commanding officer will need to apply appropriate and effective leadership when commanding the juniors. First, a commander needs to concentrate on the purpose of the mission rather than focusing on chain of command (Labarre, 1999, p.1). This leadership style will ensure that the commander does not seek for obedience from the juniors. Instead, he or she seeks to ensure that every sailor performs exemplary in his or her duties, thus ensuring that the entire team emerges successful. For instance, there occur situations when something goes a mess yet the commander is not in reach to issue orders. In such situations, the juniors can rectify the situation instead of waiting for orders from the commander (Iskra, 2012, p.1). This will ensure that overall performance of the team is good and nothing goes a mess while there are people on watch. Consequently, focusing on performance rather than command ensures that the junior members of the crew feel appreciated since they are assigned individual roles to play. Therefore, every member of the crew will acknowledge the work and role of other members, and thereby develop the urge and morale to work hard and emerge successful within the entire group (Earnhardt, 2007, p.1). Moreover, by concentrating on performance rather than showing obedience will reduce the tension among the juniors and the commander. This is because in some situations, there are some junior members of the crew who do not like to be commanded, and thus do not feel secure when commanded. This might reduce their performance thereby lowering the overall performance of the entire crew. Consequently, some of the commanders might be arrogant and thereby bully their junior members. They might bully or mistreat the junior crewmembers for either personal grudge or misunderstanding. This kind of behavior may affect negatively on the morale and relations between the commander and the juniors thereby slowing performance (Earnhardt, 2007, p.1). In addition, a consultative and caring leadership is suitable to be implemented by the commanding officer. In this case, the commandant would always consult his juniors on issues pertaining to respective areas of jurisdiction, as well as, on their opinions concerning issues arising at their working places. This leadership style would ensure that the commandant makes informed decisions as well as proper orders thereby, taking into consideration the views and perceptions of all the stakeholders (Rowe, 2010, p.1). This inclusive leadership will also reduce tension and make the junior members of the crew feel that they are part of the management process as their role and work is appreciated. This gives room for contribution and thereby overall improvement since the commandant sees the ship from the angle and eyes of the crewmembers. Moreover, a commandant needs to remain flexible in administration since it makes the crew adopt to change as well as enjoy the process and activities while working (Rowe, 2010, p. 1). Therefore, flexibility would ensure that the crew gets entertained while undertaking their duties, and this boost their morale thereby making them work towards achieving excellence in the performance. Consequently, the ability of the crew to enjoy themselves while on duty also reduces the stress that might arise while working. This would also increase the chances of registering high performance, and thereby success of the entire crew in accomplishing their mission (Rowe, 2010, p.1). In addition, the commandant being in charge of all operations in the ship should ensure that best meals are served to the crewmembers. This would ensure that the crew appreciate the role of leadership of the ship, and thus enjoy their stay while working in the ship. Further, a commandant should always promote effective and proper communication between the crew and self (Labarre, 1999, p.1). He or she should always have time to sit down with the crew thereby having face-to-face communication whereby each side shares ideas learnt as well as offers advice and encouragement. This leadership style would ensure that the members of the warship live as one family whereby problems are solved and support accorded to those in need (Labarre, 1999, p.1). Therefore, this type of leadership would ensure that the commandant does not just issue orders but rather listens to all the juniors without prejudice. Each member of the crew should be accorded equal opportunity to be heard thereby ensuring that each one of them shares ideas and experiences. This is effective since it would promote good relations and eliminate any form of suspicion between the commandant and crew as well as among the crew themselves (Labarre, 1999, p.1). Consequently, a commandant should always strive to maintain high standards for discipline among the crew and within self (Iskra, 2012, p.1). He or she should demonstrate high level of discipline, and thus always encourage fellow crewmembers to do the same, thereby acting as a role model. Furthermore, a ship commandant should hand out responsibility to other junior officers through education and training (Earnhardt, 2007, p.1). This ensures that the junior officers become ready to take over in case the commandant departs from the ship. Moreover, it ensures that the knowledge base is expanded and that many experts are available to handle a situation that otherwise could only be handled by the commanding officer of the ship. Bibliography Earnhardt, M.P. (2007). Practical Application of Five Leadership Theories on a U.S Naval Vessel. Leadership Advance Online. Retrieved from http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/lao/issue_11/earnhardt.htm Iskra, D.M. (2012). No More Bad Commanding Officers. Nation Time. Retrieved from http://nation.time.com/2012/10/12/no-more-bad-commanding-officers. Labarre, P. (1999). The Agenda – Grassroots Leadership. Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/36897/agenda-grassroots-leadership Rowe, G. (2010). Leadership: Reflections on Lessons Learned in the Canadian Navy. Ivey Business Journal. Retrieved from http://www.iveybusinessjournal.com/topics/leadership/leadership-reflections-on-lessons-learned-in-the-canadian-navy Read More