Peacetime Situational Leadership
Situational Leadership and Applicationsfor Military Leaders in a Field HospitalI. Research TopicThe US military is a professional force of combatants with integral support services and equipment. There is a wide variety of worker skill sets, each with their own military occupation specifications.
I will examine the Hershey and Blanchard Situational Leadership Model and explain how can it be applied to the military and in particular to a Americanmilitary field hospital. I will examine the levels at which Situational Leadership is exercised when a field hospital is deployed and I will analyze peacetime Situational Leadership as compared to wartime operations. Leadership in the field hospital provides an excellent test of the model since the …show more content…
Specifically, the model does a good job of highlighting the appropriate leadership style based on the "maturity" or "development level" of the followers. However, the model must be re-constructed for each level at which leadership is exercised. There are different styles that may be required because of the demands of combat. The Situational Leadership Model can be applied in numerous military applications and as a mid-career officer, I feel that the model is particularly useful as I progress from unit-level leadership positions to more senior leadership positions involving more people and more complex …show more content…
Application of the Situational Leadership Model: Peacetime versus WarIn time of war, the psychological state of followers takes on greater significance since fear complicates their ability to perform. Military leaders must take this factor into consideration when transitioning from peace to war. To compensate for fear and the greater importance of mission accomplishment, leaders may understandably become more authoritarian. The Commanding Officer of a field hospital will have to place renewed emphasis on strict discipline. The medics and medical staff would most likely feel some antagonism toward the demanding boss. However, in the wartime scenario, the followers need this leadership because their own fear is making them less willing and less capable because they revert to being more primarily concerned with survival. The leadership style, which becomes more high task,.low relatioship behaviour (S1) will lead to improved mission accomplishment and ultimately higher morale. The degree of the authoritarian style depends on the combat environment and the situation.
Thus, during peacetime operations, the interaction of leaders and followers is complex. During war, this interaction is difficult since the stress of war clouds the ability and willingness of the followers. However, I would like to add a caution that some of our management practices may be counter-productive in war. As managers we attempt to bestow empowerment on our junior personnel through leadership courses and
I will examine the Hershey and Blanchard Situational Leadership Model and explain how can it be applied to the military and in particular to a Americanmilitary field hospital. I will examine the levels at which Situational Leadership is exercised when a field hospital is deployed and I will analyze peacetime Situational Leadership as compared to wartime operations. Leadership in the field hospital provides an excellent test of the model since the …show more content…
Specifically, the model does a good job of highlighting the appropriate leadership style based on the "maturity" or "development level" of the followers. However, the model must be re-constructed for each level at which leadership is exercised. There are different styles that may be required because of the demands of combat. The Situational Leadership Model can be applied in numerous military applications and as a mid-career officer, I feel that the model is particularly useful as I progress from unit-level leadership positions to more senior leadership positions involving more people and more complex …show more content…
Application of the Situational Leadership Model: Peacetime versus WarIn time of war, the psychological state of followers takes on greater significance since fear complicates their ability to perform. Military leaders must take this factor into consideration when transitioning from peace to war. To compensate for fear and the greater importance of mission accomplishment, leaders may understandably become more authoritarian. The Commanding Officer of a field hospital will have to place renewed emphasis on strict discipline. The medics and medical staff would most likely feel some antagonism toward the demanding boss. However, in the wartime scenario, the followers need this leadership because their own fear is making them less willing and less capable because they revert to being more primarily concerned with survival. The leadership style, which becomes more high task,.low relatioship behaviour (S1) will lead to improved mission accomplishment and ultimately higher morale. The degree of the authoritarian style depends on the combat environment and the situation.
Thus, during peacetime operations, the interaction of leaders and followers is complex. During war, this interaction is difficult since the stress of war clouds the ability and willingness of the followers. However, I would like to add a caution that some of our management practices may be counter-productive in war. As managers we attempt to bestow empowerment on our junior personnel through leadership courses and