Operational Leadership: A Case of General Helmuth von Moltke (The Younger)

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA393519 | Open PDF

Abstract:

Operational leadership is of critical importance to the military, especially in times of warfare, but it is a difficult to define and it is even more difficult to describe the essential characteristics of a successful operational commander. What works in peacetime does not necessarily work in wartime. However, the writings on the subject of leadership always include four traits which we can deduce as the essential characteristics of all successful operational leaders. The four essential traits are boldness, perseverance, flexibility and decisiveness. Using the operational leadership of General Helmuth von Moltke The Younger as a case study, we can review the significance of these four traits to his operational leadership.

Author(s):
Morgan, Barbara P.
Author Organization(s):
NAVAL WAR COLL NEWPORT RI
Descriptive Note:
Final rept.
Supplementary Note:
DOI: 10.21236/ADA393519
Pagination:
0025

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
NWC
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_5.2_Understand; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_3.2.1_Kinetic Means; JCA_1.2.3_Educating; JCA_5.3.2_Apply Situational Understanding; JCA_5.3.1_Analyze Problem; JCA_5.4_Decide; JCA_7.2.1_Mitigate Lethal Effects; JCA_7.2_Mitigate; JCA_7_Protection; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange; JCA_5.2.2_Develop Knowledge and Situational Awareness; JCA_1.3_Human Capital Management; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_6.4_Information Assurance
Communities of Interest:
Human Systems
Descriptor(s):
*LEADERSHIP, *CASE STUDIES, *MILITARY COMMANDERS, MILITARY OPERATIONS, WARFARE, PEACETIME, GENERAL OFFICERS, FIRST WORLD WAR
Field(s)/Group(s):
Administration and Management, Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics
Keyword(s):
HELMUTH VON MOLTKE(THE YOUNGER), OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Report Date:
2001 May 19
Creation Date:
2001 Sep 19