Introduction
Leadership is an essential part of efficiency within any domain of humans’ work. In the context of the army, the perspectives and approaches to leadership have several distinct characteristics. A leader has to make decisions that correspond with the objectives of the state. He or she should possess an authority so that others respect the tasks. This aim can be accomplished through appropriate day-to-day behavior. Also, the development of personal characteristics and competence is necessary. An effective leader in the army must possess many leadership attributes. This includes having a demeanor that shows character, presence, and intellect.
The Difference between Interpretations of Leadership
Arguably, army leadership differs from that of leadership in other fields, for instance, business. It is because the strict rules determine the relationships between the subordinates and supervisors. The ADRP-6-22 Army Leadership statement outlines the main characteristics and responsibilities of a leader (Headquarters, Department of the Army 4, Straus et al. 5). According to this doctrine, a leader is responsible for acting in the best interest of the establishment. Hence, all of the efforts should be directed at improving the work within the organization. From a leadership perspective, one should have an understanding of the work specifics. Also, the recognition that the army can accomplish goals through mutual work is crucial. Therefore, army leaders must focus on cooperation and the overall purpose of the institution.
Work on Education and Competencies Enhancement
One aspect of leadership is the need to work on education and competencies enhancement. Additionally, a prospective leader should seek feedback and participate in training. This targets the improvement of a character and the ability to lead in real-life conditions. The ADRP-6-22 Army Leadership doctrine argues that subordinates should also work on these elements.
Army leaders are responsible for the use of weapons and the lives of their soldiers. This requires them to have strong values reflected in their character and demeanor. The crucial element is the integrity that is a representative feature of an army leader. This element is the reflection of ethical standards and adherence to legal rules. Through it, an army leader can establish the confidence of others in the decisions he or she makes. Hence, integrity as a character strength is necessary for developing leadership attributes.
Self-Concept
Another element of character that defines an army leader is a self-concept. In general, it is a definition a person has of himself or herself (Headquarters, Department of the Army 3-5). It is imperative that a proper army leader understands this role. This incorporates an acknowledgment of responsibilities and tasks (Headquarters, Department of the Army 3-6; Guerra). Additionally, the perception of others and organizational value should be considered by this individual. Therefore, self-concept is an essential attribute of leadership in the context of the army.
Presence is the concept that refers to the availability of a leader. This means that he or she should engage with their subordinates to build trust. As a result, the subordinates should have a good impression of their leader. To accomplish this, one must be aware of personal demeanor. This aspect includes spoken words, actions, appearance, character, and intellectual capabilities. In essence, this element is connected to the other attributes of leadership. However, it is vital to understand the importance of the perception that subordinates have. This is consistent with the self-concept model. Therefore, a leader should be aware of his presence and work towards improving it.
Intellectual Capabilities
Intellectual capabilities of a leader are essential for army management. This concept describes how one can think, especially in combat conditions. In this scenario, stress can affect the decision-making process. It can potentially endanger soldiers or civilians, which is unacceptable. Hence, the ability to consider various issues and come up with solutions is vital. The doctrine refers to this element as “the mental tendencies and resources that shape conceptual abilities applied to one’s duties and responsibilities” (Headquarters, Department of the Army 5-1). Therefore, intellect as a leadership attribute describes the ability to make appropriate decisions.
The Effect of Actions on Subordinates and the Organization
Another aspect that should be considered is the effect of actions on subordinates and the organization. As was mentioned, an army leader understands the importance of mutual work in accomplishing goals. Hence, he or she should be able to consider the effect that their actions can have. This incorporates both intended and unintended results and requires one to apply integrity (Headquarters, Department of the Army 5-1). Mental agility and sound judgment are among the core characteristics of intelligence. They allow one to be flexible in the decision-making process and remain rational in stressful situations (Headquarters, Department of the Army 5-12). Components such as critical reasoning and having an open mind are vital in this regard. Therefore, the attributes of an army leader are interconnected, and one should possess all three.
Conclusion
Overall, this paper reviewed the leadership attributes in the context of the army. The findings suggest that demeanor, intelligence, and presence are the key aspects of success. Demeanor is a reflection of one’s character and requires adequate self-concept and integrity. Presence refers to the impression that a leader leaves and requires the engagement of character strengths. Intelligence allows one to make adequate decisions, considering the legal and ethical implications. The three attributes of an army leader allow one to act in the organization’s best interest.
Works Cited
Headquarters, Department of the Army. (2012). ADRP-6-22 Army Leadership. Web.
Straus, Susan G., et al. Malleability and Measurement of Army Leader Attributes: Personnel Development in the U.S. Army. RAND Corporation, 2018. Web.