Crucible Events and Their Impact on Leadership

One of the most important aspects a leader should possess is the ability to change his approach to the dynamic environment and culture that leaders phase in all organizations. Jawarlal Nehru said “A leader or a man of action in a crisis almost always acts subconsciously and then thinks of the reasons for his action”. In this thesis I will like to point out two significant events that have changed my leadership style and will carry over not just to my military career but my personal life as well. The first crucible, that has helped to make me a better leader as a young battery commander I had with one of my Lieutenants that changed my approach towards what I believed is the perfect combination of a strong character leader and the sensitivity every leader should display at all levels of command. The second crucible event I will describe in this paper is the experience of working for a toxic leader who was reluctant to listen, understand and visualize problems during critical situations. As a future organizational leader I believe leaders need to understand and facilitate the legal orders given by their superior officers and at the same time display respect to the Soldiers affected by such orders. The organizational leader is the most important leader in the military because is the bridge that senior officers use in the military use pass order down the chain of command while at the same time the organizational leader needs to recognize the subordinates needs an pass these needs up the chain to the senior leadership to reach harmony in organization’s climate. The most important event that has impacted my leadership style was a conversation I had with my fire control officer platoon leader. As a battery commander I was always leaning forward leader aggressiveness was my nick name always volunteering for difficult missions, leading the battery and the battalion during all NATO execution evaluations, maintenance programs and deployment operations. After several