Commanders´ Development for Strategic Level Defence Management

• Published in: Vojenské rozhledy Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 20 - 37
• Main Authors: Marek, Milan, Procházka, Josef, Kosecová, Janka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Czech
• Published: Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic 01.07.2019
• Subjects: Leader; leadership; Commanders´ development; Capabilities; Competencies
• ISSN: 1210-3292; 2336-2995
• DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.28.2019.02.020-037

The article offers for expert discussion research outcomes assessing commanders´ development in the area of leadership for assignments in defense organization. It also evaluates the level of utilization of gained competencies while managing these organizations. Research was conducted from 2017 to 2019 and embraced predominantly surveys among participants of career courses provided by the Centre for Security and Military Strategic Studies of Defense University in the life-long education program. Research outcomes proved limited level of understanding and implementation of leadership theoretical framework in daily business. Additionally, it shows that the implementation of verified leadership processes and principles by middle- and higher-military management fluctuates about the average level. Furthermore, it figured out an insufficient application of all available instruments for people motivation and support including the approach "leading by example". Finally, it outlined several recommendations for the reinforcement of military personal preparation in the area of leadership for the successful conduct of middle- and higher-managerial position in military organizations. The first and at the same time the most significant step is the recommendation for implementing leadership areas into the Ministry of Defense conceptual documents in the form of vision, strategy and systemic measures.