Operational Leadership

Customers are increasingly demanding higher levels of speed and quality, yet leaders often focus mainly on reducing the costs of operations. This book outlines the needed evolution in leadership attitudes and behaviors in the key operational areas such as new product development, sales, operations, customer service, human resources, finance, and information technology.

Throughout Integral Operational Leadership, Park acknowledges that the principles, perspectives and priorities highlighted in his first book Collaborative Wisdom: From Pervasive Logic to Effective Operational Leadership must be translated into practical and operational guidelines. Part I of this new volume briefly revisits the theory and concepts introduced in Collaborative Wisdom and brings to centre stage an alternative organisational framework and culture which has long operated on the sidelines in many business sectors. The substantive content of this volume, however, is dedicated by way of case studies and exercises to offering insights that encourage and facilitate effective day-to-day decision making. This book creates a logical and robust chain from the hidden, often forgotten, subconscious and intuitive element of the leadership cognitive process, to the daily issues, decisions, practices and actions of leaders within the operational environment. It demonstrates how the existence of a collaborative wisdom can influence the implementers, as well as the policymakers within the organisational leadership cadre. Integral Operational Leadership provides support for industry professionals who are seeking to develop their organisational capabilities and performance through clear operational leadership. This book concerns itself with an alternative and 'progressive' leadership logic based upon perspectives, priorities and practices considered more attuned to the realities of the twenty-first century environment within which the business organisation operates.

Discover best practices for implementing efficient school management! While principals may understandably devote a great deal of attention to supporting the cultural and instructional needs of their schools, the core administrative challenge remains: managing the school′s personnel, facilities, and financial resources. As the sixth volume of a seven-part series, What Every Principal Should Know About Operational Leadership provides an essential tool for new and veteran principals who want to run their school sites more efficiently and intentionally every day of the school year. Filled with best practice examples, resources, reflection and self-assessment opportunities, and implementation ideas, this guide also includes the following features: Before we get started" questionnaire and response analysis Case study and accompanying reflective questions "What You Should Know About" section framing each chapter Self-Assessment resource for determining effectiveness of cultural leaders This book covers the essentials for organization and time management, overseeing and evaluating facilities, handling the budget, addressing legal mandates, recruiting and evaluating personnel, working with an assistant principal, and enhancing communication in individual and group settings.

The United States Military, the ultimate Instrument of national resolve, is centered on servicemen and women. Without effective leadership these men and women are ill equipped to succeed in combat and are unjustly put in harm’s way. The commander at the operational level is the link between national policy and action. His actions, character and decisions are of historical importance. While this paper will not cover the full spectrum of operational leadership; the most important traits of operational leadership will be explored. Additionally, this paper will highlight recent failures in operational leadership and compare and contrast them with lessons learned from two diametrically opposed operational leaders of World War II, General Dwight Eisenhower and Field Marshall Erich von Manstein. Analysis will concentrate on the specific operations of the Normandy invasion and Kharkov. The analysis will not deconstruct the operations but rather center on the operational leadership traits each commander displayed and their importance to the operation. Finally the paper will show how the lessons of sixty-five years ago are applicable today and for the future.

The dynamic nature of the British operation at Cambrai in 1917, in particular related to the actions of the British CINC Douglas Haig, provides useful insights into the nature of operational leadership for today. This is true in large part because the Cambrai operation came at a time when technology, tactics and strong political pressure came together to exert their combined influence on all levels of war, particularly the operational level. A similar situation exists today. The primary lessons which can be drawn from Haig’s experience as an operational commander at Cambrai include; the need to define and communicate the commander’s intent, an operational commander’s need to avoid involving himself at the tactical level, and the requirement for an operational commander to examine carefully his motives for deciding on a particular course of action.

Vice Admiral Joseph P. Metcalf, III commanded the largest American joint military operation since the Vietnam War on the small Caribbean island of Grenada in 1983. This paper focuses on Metcalf’s operational leadership during Operation URGENT FURY. It begins by providing the readers an introduction to Metcalf’s life, his education and career, and the circumstances that led to Metcalf being named as the operational commander of Combined Joint Task Force 120. Examples follow from the planning and execution stages of the Grenada invasion illustrating Metcalf’s possession of the three theoretical requirements of successful operational leadership: certain personality traits (including wisdom, good judgment, and emotional balance), a present yet unobtrusive command style, and significant professional knowledge allowing for critical decision making. Discussion topics include Metcalf’s thirty-nine hours to prepare for the invasion, the decisions to bomb Fort Frederick and conduct a Marine amphibious assault at Grand Mal, Metcalf’s relationship with General Schwarzkopf, and the now-infamous media policy. The paper concludes with lessons learned drawn from Metcalf’s operational leadership performance for current and future leaders including the Vice Admiral’s favorite: “When you are in command, COMMAND!”

The Germans entered the North African theater to alleviate pressure on the Italians and prevent the collapse of the Italian Fascist regime. Rommel arrived in North Africa, and despite orders to establish a blocking force, immediately went on the offensive with the objective of forcing the Allies out of North Africa. After two years of fighting, Rommel and his forces were defeated. This paper analyzes the operational leadership of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel during the North African campaign of 1941-1942. It concludes that Rommel, despite being an accomplished tactical leader, was a poor operational leader. Rommel lacked the proper personality, military education, and military experience to obtain the broad view necessary to become a successful operational leader. His personal relationship with Hitler put Rommel in a position of authority he was not qualified to fulfill. Additionally, his inability as an operational commander to fully comprehend logistics and strategic objectives resulted in the German’s defeat in North Africa. The Joint Force Commander must ensure his operational commanders are more than just tacticians. A successful tactical leader will not automatically become a successful operational leader. Close scrutiny of potential operational commanders is a must to ensure the future leaders of the U.S. military will be able to accomplish military strategic and operational objectives.

This edited textbook covers a range of key operational and strategic aspects of police administration, from experts who have both an academic and practitioner background. It sets out the modern challenges and demands facing the police and then covers the theory and practice of how to deal with such issues, including the leadership skills which are required at every level. These challenges are covered in sections on the use of force, international policing, investigation of new crimes and forensic investigation, counter-terrorism, intelligence, mental well-being, and community policing. Some of the key themes discussed include dealing with public demand for police services, diversity and partnership/interoperability working locally, regionally and internationally. This book is designed at all levels of warranted officer and speaks to undergraduate and postgraduate policing students with a range of pedagogic features including seminar and exam questions.

This monograph focuses on identifying, defining, and analyzing, operational leadership. Leadership is professed to be the most important element of combat power yet it remains essentially a theoretical construct defined more by its attributes than its effects. Leadership is more than the sum of its parts. Doctrine defines leadership as the process of influencing others to accomplish a mission by providing purpose, direction, and motivation. Nevertheless, this definition seems broad and reflective of our difficulty harnessing and putting.