Beyond Be, Know, Do: Leadership Implications for the Force XXI Leader.

This monograph addresses the leadership component of battle command. It contends that leaders of the 21st century and beyond will have to possess additional competencies, skills, and abilities which current leadership doctrine does not adequately address. The technological advances of information systems along with increasing regional threats add to the complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity that future leaders must cope with in future battle. After a review of existing leadership components, the paper ultimately offers future looking concepts from both military and academic circles to help address these increased leader requirements. First, from the TKADOC 525-XXX pamphlet series, one learns that the leaders must possess a broader cultural awareness than they have in the past, they must have increased intuitive skills and have a good understanding of the second and third order effects of the media. Next, future leaders will need to possess competencies which have traditionally resided at levels beyond the tactical level of decisiornaking. Additionally, because theory and doctrine will only be good points of departure for the future leader, he therefore will rely heavily on tacit skills to solve complex problems. Twenty-first century leaders must also be reflective leaders who are able to improve and adapt to situations in a timely manner. The leader who, when faced with a surprise from the enemy, is able to reassemble existing mental structures faster than the enemy will be successful. Finally, future leaders must be systems thinkers because it allows the leader to separate battlefield complexity into manageable parts.