The art of commanding : Leadership styles and military psychology

 The role of leadership has a profound influence in the field of military psychology and  on the mental well-being and performance of soldiers. This blog delves into the diversity of leadership styles in a military context, exploring the psychological impact that it has on the individuals serving under a command. Each leadership style plays a unique role in influencing the behaviour of military personnel in terms of motivation, psychological well-being, performance, etc. The four major ones are authoritative, transformative, laissez-faire and adaptive.It's important to understand and adapt leadership styles based on the nature of military operations, so commanders can create a resilient and motivated force who would be capable of navigating the complexities of modern warfare. 

 Authoritative leadership is characterized by clear directives and a strict adherence to discipline. This approach is commonly found in traditional military structures, where orders needed to be conveyed swiftly and followed with obedience. This type of leadership provides an extrinsic motivation driven by punishment or rewards. It is highly effective ,   but however,may lead to stress and anxiety in individuals.

 According to Wong, Bliese and McGurk (2003), the military leadership is closest to transformational leadership where supervisors expect performance from employees while motivating them. Transformational leaders generally result in generating inspiration and motivation. They operate as mentors, not just to give orders but also to instil a sense of purpose and commitment among their troops. Transactional leadership is essentially an exchange relationship between superior and subordinates (Bradley, L. C. P., & Charbonneau,,2004) This leadership style has been associated with increased job satisfaction, morale, and a positive psychological experience for military personnel. They feel more freedom and personal empowerment. 

Furthermore, the laissez-faire leadership style is the one that provides more autonomy to individuals in decision-making. This promotes a sense of empowerment and independent thinking; however it may also cause challenges in terms of providing clear guidance and direction. In the military discipline and unity is vital and the lack of guidance in this style may negatively impact performance. 

It’s important to not only classify leadership styles but also to understand  the concept of adaptive leadership. This regards for the fluid nature of military environments, where situational awareness and flexibility becomes significant. Hence leaders who adapt their style of command based on the demands of specific situations bring out optimal performance while regarding the mental well-being of their troop. 

Delving deeper into the historical context of military leadership, people such as General George S. Patton and General Dwight D. Eisenhower served as great examples, having distinct leadership styles, while leaving a huge impact on those that they commanded.

For instance we can consider the authoritarian style of General Patton during World War II. His approach was to discipline and he established a commanding presence that instilled fear as well as respect. This authoritative leadership style was effective in creating discipline and order in the hierarchy .In contrast, General Eisenhower's transformational leadership style was noted for its emphasis on collaboration. As Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, he created a unified vision. This transformative approach further left the soldiers with a sense of purpose and success in his goals.

In today's military, some units may adopt a laissez-faire leadership style. This empowers soldiers to make decisions on their own, promoting autonomy. However,the lack of clear guidance can lead to confusion, which could further cause major problems especially during important situations. Hence communication is crucial in these situations to prevent soldiers from feeling isolated and making huge mistakes due to being unguided.On the other hand, contemporary military psychology highlights the importance of having an adaptive leadership style. These leaders have the ability to switch between different styles according to the complexities of a mission. In some cases encouraging cooperation through a transformative commanding style would be more effective than taking a stricter stance.

 There are certain crucial qualities that successful military leaders usually possess regardless of the leadership style they adopt. Integrity and courage are the basis of leadership.  So are decisiveness and adaptability, so that leaders can navigate unexpected challenges and changing situations. Furthermore, fostering teamwork, and effective communication are necessary as they build a cohesive and motivated team. In addition, empathy contributes to a positive atmosphere. Majorly, having a  strategic vision and the ability to manage crises well are traits required for effective military leadership, enabling leaders to guide their units with resilience, efficiency, discipline, and success.

The depth of military leadership may extend beyond the battlefield. It also manifests in the resilience of soldiers returning from deployment and transitioning to civilian life, as military personnel have to navigate the psychological challenges of reintegration. In conclusion, the military leadership style plays a crucial role in shaping the experiences of those in uniform. From historical figures to contemporary commanders, the psychological effects of leadership remain ever-present.

References

Wong, L., Bliese, P., & McGurk, D. (2003). Military leadership: A context specific review. The Leadership Quarterly, 14(6), 657-692.

Reiter, D., & Wagstaff, W. A. (2018). Leadership and military effectiveness. Foreign Policy Analysis, 14(4), 490-511.

Özlen, M. K., & Zukic, A. (2013). A descriptive study on the military leadership. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 3(7), 707.

Hardy, L., Arthur, C. A., Jones, G., Shariff, A., Munnoch, K., Isaacs, I., & Allsopp, A. J. (2010). The relationship between transformational leadership behaviors, psychological, and training outcomes in elite military recruits. The leadership quarterly, 21(1), 20-32.

Bradley, L. C. P., & Charbonneau, D. (2004). Transformational leadership: Something new, something old.

Harms, P. D., Wood, D., Landay, K., Lester, P. B., & Lester, G. V. (2018). Autocratic leaders and authoritarian followers revisited: A review and agenda for the future. The Leadership Quarterly, 29(1), 105-122.

Dunn, R. (2020). Adaptive leadership: Leading through complexity. International studies in educational administration, 48(1), 31-38.

Bass, B. M., & Riggio, R. E. (2006). Transformational Leadership. Psychology Press.

About the author :

Vrisha Jhaveri

Member at Psycreative Column

First-year student, B.Sc.Applied Psychology, SDSOS, NMIMS.

You can feel Vrisha's presence more on paper than in person. She's often lost in thought and uses her creativity to pen them down as a way to express her opinions and feelings. She's an avid reader and passionate about poetry and art. One of her biggest dreams is to have her work published for the world to read. She pours her heart into writing and knows it's a part of her no one can take away. She is studying Bsc Psychology with it being one of her favourite subjects .