|
Morale: Whose Job is in Anyways?
Karl Von Clausewitz, a Prussian military general and military
theorist, identified morale as a fundamental military principle. Since Clausewitz published On War morale has developed
into a concept seen as critical to organizations, including law enforcement. Unfortunately, morale is difficult to define
and in many circles has become somewhat synonymous with motivation. In this article we will look at a very different
definition of morale, its potential effects and how the first line supervisor can affect it.
The Beatings will continue until morale improves
Often times, people consider morale the same as motivation.
But,morale is not about motivation. If it were, negative discipline could improve morale. There are times negative discipline
is used to improve performance. Negative consequences can be a powerful tool in shaping behavior. So, if morale
were about behavior or performance, negative discipline might be a tool for improving morale.
72 Situational Leadership
by Major George W. Yeakey, U.S. Army, Retired
This article examines the effect of the recently updated U.S. Army Field Manual 22-100, Army
Leadership, on situational leadership theory. It reviews the development of adaptive leadership models and theory and considers
how refinements in situational leadership theory might affect combat leaders in today's contemporary operating environment.
Adaptive leadership in today's Army is increasingly important with technological
changes and the force-structure downsizing that all military services are experiencing. Adaptive leadership is necessary in
today's complex and ambiguous military environment. Technology and the availability and flow of information contribute to
a very fluid operational situation.1 US Army Field Manual (FM) 22100, Army Leadership, has added transactional
and transformational leadership styles of directing, participating, and delegating.2 These styles add to the leader's
arsenal of leadership styles that can be used to shape behavior, emotions, and the organizational climate.
FM 22100 stresses that leaders must be able to adjust their leadership style to
the situation as well as to the people being led. Leaders are not limited to one style in a given situation and, with the
nature of the battlefield today and tomorrow, being able to adapt appropriate styles will influence soldiers' success. Techniques
from different styles are used to motivate people and accomplish the mission. A leader's judgment, intelligence, cultural
awareness, and self-control "play major roles in helping you choose the proper style and the appropriate techniques for the
task at hand."
Click Here to Read ON
Changes in Latitudes, changes in Attitudes
Perhaps Jimmy Buffet had it right; ones attitudes will change with ones perspective. Leadership in public safety agencies, particularly police agencies, is at a critical crossroads. Early retirement incentives have enticed experienced personnel to leave their
departments in mass numbers, creating a shortage of experienced supervisors. In addition, there has been a graying
of the department with the majority of the existing leaders in the Baby Boomer generation (those born between 1943 and 1960) all reaching retirement age at or about the same time.
A third contributing factor in the leadership crisis is budgetary constraints as a result of less government funding and under-funded
pensions, resulting in fewer dollars for training. The exodus of experienced supervisors has created a unique challenge
for law enforcement agencies to fill openings quickly, while continuing to manage the daily operations (both administrative
and tactical). Unfortunately, little has been done to develop the next generational pool of candidates in terms of succession
management or career development; many agencies have taken a laissez-faire approach to this growing crisis in public safety.
Without effective oversight from supervisors, police agencies leave themselves vulnerable to liability and lawsuits.
Click here to read on......
The Use of Power
Its your first day in your assignment. Perhaps you are a newly appointed leader, or you have
been transferred into a new assignment. How do you establish leadership? How do you get things moving in the right direction? You have the positional authority,
the stripes or bars or whatever symbol of leadership. The position is only one type of leadership power and for the most part
the weakest.
As you study your craft, leadership, you will find that there are several types of leader power. Many people have a difficult
time with the word power; It can carry negative connotations. Recall our first article and think of our definition of
leadership The art of influencing human behavior toward organizational goals. In the leader realm, power is the amount and type of influence the leader possesses. First, lets define
four of the power bases you can work from as a new leader and then we will explore how to combine them into a plan to jump
start your leadership.
Click here to read on.
US Navy History
Leadership in Action
US Coast Guard History
|
