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. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

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