Effective leadership in TPU's: findings from interviews at 16 units
Loading...
Authors
Thomas, Kenneth Wayne
Barrios-Choplin, Bob
Subjects
Leadership
readiness
TPU
Army Reserve
retention
readiness
TPU
Army Reserve
retention
Advisors
Date of Issue
1996-07
Date
1996-07
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
This report summarizes Phase 11 of a study of effective leadership behavior in company-level units (TPU's) in the U.S. Army
Reserve. Extensive interviews were conducted in 16 high-priority (FSP) units, focusing on effective/ineffective leadership behavior by
company commanders. Results underscore the fundamental importance of leadership to unit readiness and retention. The report
identifies leader behaviors that influence readiness and retention by building five key conditions in the unit: training quality, standards,
cohesiveness, confidence and respect in the leader, and support from spouses and employers. One finding involves the importance ofthe
leader's time commitment to the unit. Another involves leader behaviors essential to managing unit training, including availability to
subordinates, planning and delegation, and protecting the plan. Another includes a three-stage strategy for turning around units with low
standards. Another involves identification of three leadership values that tend to produce trust and confidence: mission,
standards/accountability, and soldier care. Concrete best practices are cited for each effective leadership behavior identified. The report
also identifies two 'leadership traps' that several less-effective leaders fell into, involving micromanagement and punishment. The report
concludes with several recommendations, including the need for leadership training
Type
Technical Report
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Systems Management
Organization
Systems Management (SM)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
NPS-SM-96-002
Sponsors
Funder
This report was prepared for and funded by the Army Studies Program, and HQ DA, OCAR, Atta: DAAR-PAE, Washington, DC 20310-2400.
Format
iv, 46 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.