Enhancing Strategic Thinking in Army Leaders through Skill-building Exercises
(Room S320E)
30 Nov 17
1:30 PM
-
2:00 PM
The complexity and volatility of today’s operating environments require that Army leaders have advanced cognitive skills. It is no longer sufficient for officers to be technically and tactically proficient (Gurney & Smotherman, 2009). As tactical, operational, and strategic environments become increasingly intertwined, the Army needs leaders who can develop a holistic understanding of multi-dimensional problems, visualize ways to shape potential future states, and anticipate second-and third-order effects of decisions and actions. Recent research conducted by Sackett, Karrasch, Weyhrauch, & Goldman (2016) found that more and different strategic thinking development is required. The research found that the Army’s current education and training system provides limited opportunities for developing leaders to practice the skills that underpin strategic thinking and complex problem-solving. This paper describes research to test methods for improving current and emerging Army leaders’ ability to think strategically by providing them with opportunities to practice advanced cognitive skills. Specifically, the paper describes the development and formative evaluation of four practical exercises – for use in operational and/or classroom settings – designed to build and reinforce cognitive and behavioral skills that underpin the ability to think strategically. These exercises give participants the opportunity to practice and receive feedback on skills including: systems/holistic thinking, synthesis, questioning and information-gathering, reflection, thinking in time, and strategic foresight. A preliminary evaluation of the exercises was conducted with two groups: a Brigade and Division of the 1st Infantry Division at Ft. Riley and faculty members in the University of Foreign Military and Cultural Studies. The evaluation elicited feedback on 1) the value of the exercises for developing skills associated with strategic thinking, 2) ease of use of the facilitator materials, and 3)