CEFME Students’ Scientific Conference 2017

Croatian Defence Academy, Republic of Croatia

8.-11. May 2017

Central European Forum on Military Education

CEFME junior conference

CROATIA 2017

THE TRUE MEANING OF A MILITARY LEADER

CEFME junior conference 2017

Zagreb, 8. – 11. May 2017.

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 CEFME Students’ Scientific Conference 2017
Croatian Defence Academy, Republic of Croatia
8.-11. May 2017

ABSTRACT
The aim of this paper is to speak and present a little study that I’ ve made about the true
meaning of a military leader. The ability to lead others is an elemental characteristic of
service in the Military. Here, natural leaders are drawn to the pursuit of positions of
influence and importance. And emerging leaders are challenged to build their leadership
skills through ongoing leadership development.There are lots of things which are important
when we refer to leaders and leadership but I am going to present just a few issues about
the psychological aspects which play an important role in the development of a true leader.

Introduction

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 CEFME Students’ Scientific Conference 2017
Croatian Defence Academy, Republic of Croatia
8.-11. May 2017

This presentation introduces the Theories of leadership, try to answer to the question
‘’ Do smart people are better leaders ?’’ or if the best leader is a male or a female , the
definition of leadership, present some types of leadership, facts about USA leading style and
shows my personal study about where is the transformational leadership style is mostly
used.
You can actualy say that a leader also is:
-a person or thing that holds a dominant or superior position within its field, and is able to
exercise a high degree of control or influence over others.
-a person who influences a group of people towards the achievement of a goal
-the type of person who has the ability to make sound decisions and inspire others to
perform well
Unfortunately, leadership doesn't have a one-size-fits-all definition. We all have our
own ideas about what it means to be a good leader. some people think leadership means
guiding others to complete a particular task, while others believe it means motivating the
members of your team to be their best selves. But while the definitions may vary, the
general sentiments remain the same: leaders are people who know how to achieve goals
and inspire people along the way.
Theories

For decades, leadership theories have been the source of numerous studies. In reality
as well as in practice, many have tried to define what allows authentic leaders to stand apart
from the mass.

There as many theories on leadership as there are philosophers.

A brief history in the leadership theories would start with :

THE GREAT MAN THEORY (1840s) – this concept assumes that the great leaders
are born ,they are not made.

TRAIT THEORY (1930s-1940s )- belives that people are either born or made with
certain qualities that will make them to excel in leadership . this focused on identifing those
traits in order to select after the leaders.

BEHAVIOURAL THEORYS (1940s-1950s)- this was a new perspective , focuses on

behaviours of the leaders ...opposed to any mental ,phisycal or social characteristics. In other
words : leaders are made not born.

CONTINGENCY THEORIES (1960s)- came with the idea that there is not just one
way of leading and that every leadership style should be based on certain situations.

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 CEFME Students’ Scientific Conference 2017
Croatian Defence Academy, Republic of Croatia
8.-11. May 2017

TRANSACTIONAL LEADERSHIP THEORIES(1970s)-known as exchange theories

those are based on transactions made between the leader and the followers. (REWARD or
PUNISH)

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP THEORIES(1970s)-is based on how a

person interact with others and is able to create a solid relationship that results in high
percentage of trust , trust that will later result in an increase of motivation . The essences of
this theory is that the leaders transform their followers through their inspirational nature and
charismatic personalitties.

Do smart people are better leaders ?

If the general answer is ’’yes’’ this depends on what do you mean by smart .
Reasearches on basic intelligence suggests that IQ is slighty to moderately related to
attending a leadership position and to leader succes.

Even though this doesn’t always fit with the people’s experience , for example ,
scientists, briliant mathematicians , breakthrough artist aren’t always good leaders.

On the other hand , we always see leaders who don’t appear particularly smart.

This happens because a big IQ doesn’t help you to much in communicate with others at an
emotional level or to be able to regulate emotions as a big EQ could.

So, EQ is related to leadership ? yes , to some extent . This interpersonal skill is very
important for creating good relations between the leader and followers . And still the relation
between EQ and leadership is significant but small .

Actualy,the most important type of intelligence for leaders may be the social one (SQ)
. Social intelligence is what some people refer to ’’street smarts’’ or ’’everyday
intellingence’’, this is the abiltiy to understand social situations , to play social roles and the
most important one to influence others .

The last two forms of intelligence are both relate to interpersonal skills so those are
pliable . The more you develop those skills them , better you will become .

MALE OR FEMALE ?

As you could easely guess ,males hold a substantial advantage over women.

Even history proves it : DID YOU KNOW ?

-Only 5 of the 209 Egypltian pharaons in over 3000 years of pharaons were female

-In Imperial China were only a handful of female in 21 centuries

-Only 4 of the 187 Roman Emperors in the 1500 years of Roman emperor were
female
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 CEFME Students’ Scientific Conference 2017
Croatian Defence Academy, Republic of Croatia
8.-11. May 2017

-In Japan from 660 BCE to present there have been only 10 empresses along the time

-And in USA there’s never ever been a female president at White House!!

Why it is so ...?

Many theories tried to discover the main differences between the males and women . It is the
leading style or a bilogical diffrence ?

A leadership style is a leader's style of providing direction, implementing plans, and

motivating people. There are many different leadership styles that could be presented.

Authoritarian: The authoritarian leadership style or autocratic leader keeps strict, close
control over followers by keeping close regulation of policies and procedures given to
followers. To keep main emphasis on the distinction of the authoritarian leader and their
followers, these types of leaders make sure to only create a distinct professional relationship.
Direct supervision is what they believe to be key in maintaining a successful environment and
follower ship. In fear of followers being unproductive, authoritarian leaders keep close
supervision and feel this is necessary in order for anything to be done. Authoritarian
leadership styles often follow the vision of those that are in control, and may not necessarily
be compatible with those that are being led. Authoritarian leaders have a focus on efficiency.

Paternalistic: The way a Paternalistic leader works is by acting as a father figure by

taking care of their subordinates as a parent would. In this style of leadership the leader
supplies complete concern for his followers or workers. In return he receives the complete
trust and loyalty of his people. Workers under this style of leader are expected to become
totally committed to what the leader believes and will not strive off and work independently.
The relationship between these co-workers and leader are extremely solid. The workers are
expected to stay with a company for a longer period of time because of the loyalty and trust.

Democratic: The democratic leadership style consists of the leader sharing the
decision-making abilities with group members by promoting the interests of the group
members and by practicing social equality.

Laissez-faire: The laissez-faire leadership style is where all the rights and power to
make decisions is fully given to the worker.

Transactional: Transactional leaders focus their leadership on motivating followers

through a system of rewards and punishments. There are two factors which form the basis for
this system, contingent Reward and management-by-exception. This type of leader identifies
the needs of their followers and gives rewards to satisfy those needs in exchange of certain
level of performance.Transactional leaders focus on increasing the efficiency of established
routines and procedures. They are more concerned with following existing rules than with
making changes to the organization.

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 CEFME Students’ Scientific Conference 2017
Croatian Defence Academy, Republic of Croatia
8.-11. May 2017

Transformational: A transformational leader is a type of person in which the leader is

not limited by his or her followers' perception. The main objective is to work to change or
transform his or her followers' needs and redirect their thinking. Leaders that follow the
transformation style of leading, challenge and inspire their followers with a sense of purpose
and excitement. They also create a vision of what they aspire to be, and communicate this
idea to others (their followers).

Eleven Principles of Leadership

The following eleven principles of leadership may look familiar to those who have
served in the United States Navy. They are the guiding principles for leadership for the Navy
and the Marine Corps, those are written in ‘’Fundamentals of Naval Leadership’’ by
Department of Leadership and law, U S. Naval Academy ,Karel Montor.

Developing these 11 leadership principles will help make you a better leader.
Together, they will form a set of traits and values that define your character as a leader.
Adopting these principles will guide your actions with your employees and your company,
and provide direction throughout your career. These principles are also an important tool for
self-evaluation. You can use them to identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and seek
self-improvement.

1. Know yourself and seek self-improvement

2. Be technically and tactically proficient

3. Know your subordinates and look out for their welfare

4. Keep your subordinates informed

5. Set the example

6. Ensure the task is understood, supervised and accomplished

7. Train your unit as a team

8. Make sound and timely decisions

9. Develop a sense of responsibility among your subordinates

10. Employ your team or organization in accordance with its capabilities

11. Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions

“The Captain s Role with the crew”

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 CEFME Students’ Scientific Conference 2017
Croatian Defence Academy, Republic of Croatia
8.-11. May 2017

The best way to take the measure of your crew is simply to spend time with them.
There is a great deal to be said for being of captain who is well known for turning up at
unexpected times. One way to look at this is that you are perpetually walking around your
command trying to catch people doing something good .

Try and schedule at least one activity each day that will draw you to a part of ship
,submarine ,or squadron where you do not normally go. A great choice on a surface ship ,for
example,is to do a plannd maintenance spot check every day. Make it a surprise to the
division concerned, take the 3-M coordinator with you ,and enjoy the exchange with your
people on the deckplates. You will demonstrate how important you think maintenance is to
the command , have a chance to interact with your hardest workers, and get the opportunity
to spot-check an important function.

Spend as little time as possible in your stateroom. Nothing happens there ! as a default
position if nothing else is going on, head up to the bridge. Talk ti everyone on the bridge
team. Then walk around the desks. And don t forget to tour one of your main engineering
spaces each day. If you take a spin around at least once in the morning and once in the
afternoon, you will be amaze how much you pick up about what is happening in your world.

Bear in mind that you cannot walk past something that isn t right. The minute you
do,you ve accepted that standard, be it something as mundane as a dirty ladder back or as
complicated as an improperly conducted signal processor check on the SPY-1B radar. Be
especially vigilant for safety violations of any kind.

Sailors will work the hardest for commanding officers they like and respect. Know
your job, interact with your people in positive ways, and keep everyone focused on safety and
the mission at hand. You ll enjoy every day you spend with your sailors’’

‘’Tehnique of Counseling

A leader must gain the confidence of his subordinates to be able to coinsel them. This
means finding out as much as possible about their families and relationships in order to
analyze their problems and provide help.’’

Study:

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 CEFME Students’ Scientific Conference 2017
Croatian Defence Academy, Republic of Croatia
8.-11. May 2017

The study that I’ve made is based on one type of questionnaire using afirmations
applied to 4 different groups (2 civilian groups and 2 from military institutions) about their
leaders in purpose to identify where is mostly used the transformational type of leading.

Statut

Frequency Percent

Valid civilian 56 44,1

military 71 55,9

Total 127 100,0

Table 1

Institutions

Frequency Percent

Valid military high

32 25,2
school

academy 39 30,7

voluntary
31 24,4
association

sport 25 19,7

Total 127 100,0

Table 2

My afirmations were:

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 CEFME Students’ Scientific Conference 2017
Croatian Defence Academy, Republic of Croatia
8.-11. May 2017

He don't know anything about how i feel or think.

He encourage the team work.

He is an example for all.

He made me see the things from another point of view.

He show us that it has big expectation from us.

He is capabile to motivate the team in order to reach their purpose.

He behaves as he is looking for our needs.

He insists on the best performances.

He leads the team for working and having the same aim.

He has ideas that made me think again about my owns.

He inspire us with his future plans.

He doesn't accept the second place.

He leads more with deeds than words.

He acts without taking into consideration my feelings.- invers

He shows respect for what i feel and think.

Leads through examples.

He has a clear vision on what we are heading to.

According to my answers , the result of the study shows that the transformational leading
style predominate in the voluntary association group.

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 CEFME Students’ Scientific Conference 2017
Croatian Defence Academy, Republic of Croatia
8.-11. May 2017

References:

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 CEFME Students’ Scientific Conference 2017
Croatian Defence Academy, Republic of Croatia
8.-11. May 2017

1. Stavridis, J., Mack, W., Command at sea, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis,
Maryland, fifth edition, 1999

2. Karel Montor, Fundamentals of Naval Leadership, Department Of Leade U.S. Naval

Academy, Hardcover ,1984

3. Gabor, G., Jianu, A., Prisacaru, A., Psihologie militara, Interventia psihologica,
proces compensator al efectelor evenimentelor cu potential traumatic, Editura Centrului
Tehnic-Editorial al Armatei, Bucuresti, 2014,129-137

4. Sîntion, F., Competenţa psihologică a liderului militar, Editura Universităţii

Naţionale de apărare, Bucureşti, 2005,p 67-93

5. IBM - Software SPSS

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 CEFME Students’ Scientific Conference 2017
Croatian Defence Academy, Republic of Croatia
8.-11. May 2017

CONTENT
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................2

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................3

THEORIES.....................................................................................................3

CONCLUSION...............................................................................................7

FIGURE LIST................................................................................................10

REFERENCES..............................................................................................11

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