Stifled Innovation? Developing Tomorrow's Leaders Today

The Army is moving rapidly on the road to transformation. New vehicles are being fielded, doctrine is being written, and alternative force structures are being tested.Akey part of this process is the transformation of the human dimension of the Army. The future leaders of the transformed Army will have to be innovative leaders who can operate in a rapidly changing environment in the absence of detailed guidance from higher headquarters. Dr. Leonard Wong examines how, despite the need to develop and grow innovative leaders for the Army's future forces, the current system in the Army seems to be working against that vision. He argues that current levels of directed training events, dictated training procedures, and disruptions originating from higher echelons are having a detrimental effect on the development of innovation in today's company commanders. Some may find it difficult to accept the message of this monograph as they point to the many operational and training successes of the Army.