The Critical Leadership Problem
L108 Take Home Exam
Class 13-01 th “The 56 Heavy Brigade Combat Team”
Exam Question: What is the critical leadership problem facing the 56th
HBCT Brigade Commander and how will you, as the new brigade commander, improve the organization?
LTC (P) Osborne returned to the 56th HBCT after 2 ½ years to serve in the deputy brigade commander (DCO) position. Three short years ago the 56th HBCT was considered among the best maneuver brigades in Forces Command. Several assessments and surveys were taken proving that the environment had changed and that there is a critical leadership problem in leader competencies. As the
BCO, Col Axel was tasked to lead in the three competency areas. His primary responsibility was to lead others; secondly, to develop the environment, himself, and the profession as a whole; and finally to achieve organizational goals. The use of Leader Competencies will provide a clear and consistent way of conveying expectations for the 56th HBCT and improve the organization.
Leading others is our primary function and we do that by influence. Leadership is the process of influencing people. This is a fundamental concept found in ADP 6-22 and ADRP 6-22. While influence might be the essence of leadership, it is not the starting point.
The unit Call Report indicated that there was a potential problem within the culture of the organization. The ability to communicate appropriately is an essential component for effective leadership. Inappropriate use of communication was one of the 56th HBCT’s major weaknesses. Too often leaders either didn’t communicate or communicated inappropriately. COL Axel either provided a lack of support or inappropriate support. He did not support, believe in, or champion the needs of the members of his unit and their families, ultimately destroying his leadership effectiveness. Leaders who ignore issues of infidelity, stress, anxiety and guilt will never succeed. Long and recurring deployments cause stress
Class 13-01 th “The 56 Heavy Brigade Combat Team”
Exam Question: What is the critical leadership problem facing the 56th
HBCT Brigade Commander and how will you, as the new brigade commander, improve the organization?
LTC (P) Osborne returned to the 56th HBCT after 2 ½ years to serve in the deputy brigade commander (DCO) position. Three short years ago the 56th HBCT was considered among the best maneuver brigades in Forces Command. Several assessments and surveys were taken proving that the environment had changed and that there is a critical leadership problem in leader competencies. As the
BCO, Col Axel was tasked to lead in the three competency areas. His primary responsibility was to lead others; secondly, to develop the environment, himself, and the profession as a whole; and finally to achieve organizational goals. The use of Leader Competencies will provide a clear and consistent way of conveying expectations for the 56th HBCT and improve the organization.
Leading others is our primary function and we do that by influence. Leadership is the process of influencing people. This is a fundamental concept found in ADP 6-22 and ADRP 6-22. While influence might be the essence of leadership, it is not the starting point.
The unit Call Report indicated that there was a potential problem within the culture of the organization. The ability to communicate appropriately is an essential component for effective leadership. Inappropriate use of communication was one of the 56th HBCT’s major weaknesses. Too often leaders either didn’t communicate or communicated inappropriately. COL Axel either provided a lack of support or inappropriate support. He did not support, believe in, or champion the needs of the members of his unit and their families, ultimately destroying his leadership effectiveness. Leaders who ignore issues of infidelity, stress, anxiety and guilt will never succeed. Long and recurring deployments cause stress