[March 29, 2025] Ten years ago, I had a leadership toolbox series and one of those “tools” was the value of formalized leadership courses. Yes, such courses can be valuable, as I noted at the time, but they might not bring about the desired outcome.
I noted that the courses’ objective to “transition their understanding from operational/tactical to strategic issues” was most important. I still believe this, but the problem I have witnessed is that most senior leaders cannot transition their thinking to the strategic level.
Call me cynical or crazy, but from my own experience in these courses and working with large numbers of senior military and civilian leaders, the majority remain incapable of reading, writing, or even understanding a strategic plan. Their lack of this basic skill set is setting back the U.S. military from their training objectives to combat units performing on the battlefield.
I cannot tell people how frustrating it is to work with a senior leader who is intellectually incapable of a deep understanding of strategy. The leadership courses do teach how to “see” strategy but are remiss in calling out those who remain ignorant and unskilled in the art of strategy and its immeasurable value.
Surprisingly, I often find a few junior leaders who have developed a good sense of strategy thinking on their own merits, without any formalized military or civilian training. I had a friend tell me often that strategic thinking is inborn in some people; it can be developed in a few others, but most have blinders covering their minds to any inkling of strategy. This is one of the reasons Nazi Germany failed in World War II. They were great at the tactical and operational levels but never grasped grand strategy.
Am I now backtracking on my idea of the value of a leadership toolbox that contained formalized courses? Of course not. I find these courses remain a valuable choice and often enhance the skills of many who already understand strategic thinking. My advocacy is for improvement in the coursework and for identifying weak leaders.
The lesson here is to never underestimate the military’s ability to mess things up and to be reluctant to show off their failures before they create chaos. As well, this is true of any organization and true of larger bureaucracies that tend to get in their own way while carrying out their mission.
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Everyone, go read this series from long ago. Thx sir for bringing it back to us.
Gen. Satterfield had this long-running series that is very valuable. I’m glad he reminded me of it. So, if you are a leader at any level, it behoves you to go back and read them. These are a set of mental and physical tools that can make the job of being a better leader much easier. Don’t say I did not make this recommendation.
Yep, exactly right Don. 👍
LEADER TOOLS. DONT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THEM.
There are plenty of our Federal Senators that are nothing short of a full deck. And we know who they are. Nancy Pelosi up is the first idiot in the box of stupidity. 🇺🇸🐘
“Am I now backtracking on my idea of the value of a leadership toolbox that contained formalized courses? Of course not. I find these courses remain a valuable choice and often enhance the skills of many who already understand strategic thinking. My advocacy is for improvement in the coursework and for identifying weak leaders.” — Gen. Satterfield is saying that it is a better tactic for any company to find their strategic thinkers and promote them. And, find out those senior leaders who are ignorant of it and fire them.
Exactly, Bryan. This blog post is much more important than we see at first glance.
Great insights.
Sir, I agree!!! All we have to do is look at the wars since WWII to come to that conclusion; that we don’t understand the concept of global strategy. The USA has been losing ground ever since WWIi in all areas. It looks to me that President Trump might have an understanding, but it will take time to make a good judgement on his actions. In the meantime, the US military had best start promoting those who can conduct and plan for strategic action. Otherwise, we’re screwed.
Ernie, you’re right about this of course, I’m not a person who says I can do any of this strategic stuff but I can see when America is going in the right direction and I think most of us can. That is why the Biden-Harris Administration was such a huge failure — they only pandered to our citizens like a mother cat tends to her kittens but doesn’t see the danders just a few feet away.
Forrest, yep. Let’s not let our dumb politicians led us off a cliff. 🕷🕷🕷🕷
No one seems to understand STRATEGY anymore since we, as a nation, have become much more narcissistic and inward thinking.
We can pray 🙏 that these elected by us are able to learn strategies rather than being what they appear to be ,,, they appear to be wannabe tough gangsters. Ha Ha Ha. Nope, the won’t be and can’t be. 🙏