Military Leadership Lessons for Public Service

Military veterans have had some of the most intensive leadership training available. Many return to their communities seeking to apply what they have learned. Those who enter the world of public affairs—where colleagues are increasingly less likely to have served in the military—may encounter a popular misconception: that military leadership is all about exercising authority and giving orders. In fact, military leadership is based on interpersonal dynamics, often learned through trying circumstances. Effective management of civil emergencies—as shown by 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina—calls for the same official demeanor, decisiveness and trustworthiness as does combat. Good leadership is fundamentally the same in ordinary day-to-day challenges, as well. This book describes how the principles and methods of military leadership are effective for public service.

Charles Szypszak is a professor of public law and government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He previously was a director and partner of a law firm in New Hampshire and a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Charles Szypszak

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 204
Bibliographic Info: notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2016
pISBN: 978-1-4766-6491-0
eISBN: 978-1-4766-2703-8
Imprint: McFarland

Preface 1

1. The Widening Gap 5
The Core of Public Leadership 6
Historical Foundation of Military Leadership and Public Service 10
Separation 18
Today’s Military Leadership Experience 23
Veterans in Other Public Service 29
Impressions of the Military 33
Different Languages 37
Unfamiliarity Can Breed Contempt 48

2. Leadership as Taught 54
Military Leadership Education 56
Military Leadership Principles 66
Public Service Leadership Education 77
Public Service Leadership Theories 86
Learning Leadership Across the Gap 95

3. Leadership Under Fire 98
Lieutenant Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain and Gettysburg 99
Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and the World Trade Center Attacks 104
Mayor Ray Nagin and Hurricane Katrina 112
Source of Strength in Crisis 120
Leadership Presence 121; Decisiveness 125; Trusted Relationships 128

4. Adaptable Military Leadership Methods 132
Cultivate Integrity 135
Keep the Focus on the Mission 140
Cultivate Taking Responsibility 143
Have Other Honest Eyes and Ears 149
Keep Everyone Attuned to the Front Lines 153
Trust and Verify 155
Meet with a Purpose 159
Give Honest Individual Feedback 162
Insist That Everyone Pulls Their Weight 165
Cultivate Leadership Throughout 167
Immutable Leadership Principles 175

Recommended Leadership Development Reading 177
Chapter Notes 179
Bibliography 187
Index 193