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The relationship between critical thinking and decision-making
The relationship between critical thinking and decision-making
Critical thinking in decision making
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Leaders must think to survive in every form of physical and mental conflict. Army leaders are responsible to solve problems, from “the mundane to the magnificent’ , with an expectation of complete success in determining the best possible decision to a given problem. Utilizing cognitive training tools to expand a stagnate mind (Drs. Paul and Elder’s Eight Elements of Thought) and following proven models of success (Army Problem Solving Process) facilitate a positive outcome for Army officers when they are making difficult decisions. Drs. Paul and Elder developed eight elements of thought that assist Army officers and provide additional definitions to the thought categories in the seven steps of the Army Problem Solving Process. "In Afghanistan, …show more content…
Identification of the problem-Herein lies the crucial first step in the Army’s Problem Solving Process. Initially a leader must determine the totality of the given situation, determine where the problem originated, and determine the “Who, What, When, Where and Why” answers to the source of the problem. Gathering of information-This step in the process is the most fluid. Understanding the problem at the user level is critical; therefore, defining the problem in this process is mandatory to ensure that everyone involved understands every facet of the problem statement. Development of criteria-While defining criteria to solve a problem, Army officers form two subsets; a screening set and an evaluation set. The screening set of criteria are parameters set by the leadership attempting to solve a problem to ensure the result of the decision made is a manageable success. The evaluation criteria consists of five validating elements. The elements of the evaluation criteria are; a short title; well defined; and the criteria must be of a standard unit of measure. Additionally, the problem solver must establish a benchmark that allows, the problem solver, to …show more content…
Paul and Elder’s eight elements of thought directly support the Army officers as they work through the Army Problem Solving Process by expanding their ability to think critically and creatively. The following eight elements enhance a problem’s solvers perspective on what is important; making the best possible decision the same goal as the Army Problem Solving Process. The eight elements of thought are Point of view; Purpose; Question or problem; Information; Inferences and conclusions; Concepts and theories; Assumptions; and Implications/Consequences. Point of view-Drs. Paul and Elder suggested this as a starting point in the Army officers thought process. Drs. Paul and Elder believe that within the Point of View, decision makers should look at their view through the follow-on analysis of frames of reference, Perspectives, and Orientations . While combining the totality of the Point of View, Army leaders look at a problem from a “place which they are viewing the problem.” Furthermore, the Point of View element brings to the Army Problem Solving Process the leader’s ability to “reflect of who the people are inside, what they use to make their assumptions and their decision.” Utilizing the Point of view element assists in the Problem Solving Process by providing leaders with guidance from commanders to the problem solvers to create alternatives to solve a problem. According to US Army ATTP 5-01, 2001, par. 11-25, 2-14, alternatives and possible unpopular ideas or
Effective planning is impossible without first understanding the problem. Commanders rely on personal observations, experiences, and input from others to develop understanding. They also prioritize information requests and incorporate additional information as those requests are answered. A complete understanding of the problem and environment builds the foundation for the operational process and ...
The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief analysis of the United States Army’s organizational structure and its culture and how these two elements impact its workers, associates and affiliates. This paper will first examine the Army’s history, development and structure to highlight the origins of the Army’s culture. Secondly, a brief history of the Army’s organizational development will be followed by a close examination of its philosophy and supporting beliefs. Lastly, this paper will discuss the role of the Army’s leadership, their response to critical issues and the organizational structure of the Army. An analysis of the army’s top leaders will help the reader to understand the Army culture more thoroughly in the context of the Army’s organizational structure. More specifically this section of the paper will examine the Army leadership’s response to the current geo-political environment and other related issues. In conclusion, this paper hopes to highlight the Army’s overall functioning from an organizational standpoint and emphasize that idea that the Army is like a functional corporation. This will be accomplished by addressing various key questions throughout this text.
LM06, Strategic Planning Student Guide. (2013). Maxwell-Gunter AFB. Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education (AETC).
In examining the military history, one can easily find out that the main role of military leaders in the field is to decrease confusion and to guide units to achieve the desired end state. In accomplishing these tasks, Situational Understanding and Visualization have become necessary steps especially in today’s complex environment. This importance legitimates the question about their relationship between these two steps and the challenges facing leaders to achieve situational understanding and visualization. Commander’s visualization depends on Situational understanding. Leader’s success in these two phases remains conditioned by overcoming some challenges related to his bias, time and the efficiency of his staff.
We can identify three major cultural dimensions that help us to understand what leaders must focus on as they guide the transition of the Army. First, professional Identity, which is guided by Soldiers at all levels who are striving for excellence in their functional specialty, i.e., HR Sergeants. Soldiers who have goals and ideals of the Army to ethically put service and duty first. HR Sergeants are trained and well educated in their field. They are taught to put Soldiers first and have great customer support skills. Second, community, the sense in which Soldiers stop thinking about “I” and start thinking “we”. The bond among units who not only believe in cohesion with Soldiers, but their families too. The HR Sergeants are there to take care of Soldiers when financial issues arise with them or their families and don’t back down until the situation is solved. Last, hierarchy, which leads to order and control and provides Soldiers with moral reference and a sense of direction. The HR Sergeant has the mentality of mission first, knowing who to contact at the next level for assistance helps get the mission
Leaders today need to have an appreciation for the operation process, understand a situation, envision a desired future, and to lay out an approach that will achieve that future (Flynn & Schrankel, 2013). Plans need to be created that can be modified to changes in any factors considered. However, plans should not be dependent on specific information being precise or that require things to go exactly according to schedule. Instead, the staff NCO should be flexible where they can and always be prepared for the unexpected. Today’s military members are fighting an unconventional war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The enemy constantly changes their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP’s) to counter the United States technological advances, making planning very difficult for leaders. There are multiple tools at a staff NCO’s disposal to try to anticipate an outcome of a current operation, but also assist with the development of concepts in follow-on missions. The Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) is just one tool a staff NCO can utilize. In order to stay ahead of the enemy, create effective plans and orders, it is critical for a staff NCO to assist the commander, and understand that the MDMP and planning are essential in defeating the enemy and conserving the fighting force.
“Operational design is a journey of discovery, not a destination.” Operational design provides a framework, with the guidance of the Joint Force Commander (JFC), that staffs and planning groups can use to give political leaders, commanders, and warfighters a comprehensive understanding of the nature of the problems and objectives for which military forces will be committed, or are planned to be committed. Furthermore, operational design supports commanders and planners to make sense of complicated operational environments (often with ill-structured or wicked problems), helps to analyze wicked problem, and devise an operational approach to solve the problem in the context of the operational environment.
Leadership is contagious throughout the world and most importantly in the Army. It is not just my view, but of all leaders, at all levels, that organizations are responsible for setting conditions that lead to long-term organizational success. As I reflect on my experiences, through experience and observation, I realize how my values, beliefs, and perspectives about leadership continuously evolve over time. Recognizing these changes over time helps me better understand that people in organizations have different perspectives in life. This leadership narrative serve as important guiding principles for how I will lead at the organizational level and represents my thought, values and beliefs.
Compare and Contrast the Army Problem Solving Model (Process) with the Rapid Decision making and Synchronization Process. (C100)
Mission analysis. The mission analysis identifies the problem and begins to determine workable solutions. The headquarter develops the intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB). The higher headquarters’ order is analyzed and specified by the commander and his staff. This leads to initial CCIR and an ISR plan and finally the initial intent of the battalion commander.
A most valuable opportunity exists for a leader to contribute in making a tremendous difference. New leadership at the top of the 4th Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT), a) gifted with wisdom to analyze an organization in identifying problems, b) capable of thinking creative in founding a vision for the future, and c) empowered with the reasoning ability to develop effective solutions to problems, will transform a declining unit to a new enhanced level of mission achievement and organizational effectiveness. 4th ABCT numerous problems are identified. A vision developed will guide the unit in the future. Most importantly, providing solutions to 4th ABCT problems occurs. Unit problems, vision, and solutions follow in order.
In my current Army unit, we are often at the forefront of decisions that have a wide impact throughout the Army. Our office is responsible for the application of aviation assets to perform military intelligence functions. Within our office, we are responsible for designing the composition military intelligence aviation units, to include the amount of personnel required to fly on board the aircraft, the personnel required to process the data collected and the types of aircraft that are required to perform each mission. We have an office of about twenty personnel who are comprised of Department of the Army Civilians, Defense Contractors, and Army Officers. Each group of individuals has a different vision for what the organizations should
As an officer in the United States Army, it has been imperative for me to understand every facet of leadership and why it remains important to be an effective leader. During this course, I have learned some valuable lessons about myself as a leader and how I can improve on my leadership ability in the future. The journal entries along with the understanding of available leadership theories have been an integral part of my learning during this course. For all of the journals and assessments that I completed, I feel it has given me a good understanding of my current leadership status and my future potential as a leader. All of the specific assessments looked at several areas in regards to leadership; these assessments covered several separate focus areas and identified my overall strengths and weaknesses as a leader. Over the course of this paper I will briefly discuss each one of these assessments and journal entries as they pertained to me and my leadership.
Explain the importance of defining the objectives, scope and success criteria of the decisions to be taken
As stewards of the Army Profession, they are the epitome of what Soldiers aim to be. Through professional and personal experiences, Sergeants Major (SGM) acquires necessary skills and tools to effectively deal with adversity. It is for this reason that in the midst of challenges, chaos, and difficult situations Sergeants Major are the beacon of light, the common sense in the equation, the “Go To” person for guidance and hope, or the solution for all issues. Applying positive psychology, Sergeants Major are able to provide sound judgment and advice to commanders, staffs, and subordinates. Additionally, the application of positive psychology fosters camaraderie, builds a healthy work environment, and creates a positive culture within the organization. The purpose of this paper is to describe the concepts of positive psychology, positive leadership, and master resilience training (MRT) and how Sergeants Major promote these factors to enhance organizational