Extreme Tactical Leadership: The Traits and Skills of Successful Battalion Commanders in Combat

Combat is extreme leadership, requiring the utmost of an organizational leader. Complex combat operations require competent and confident leaders, and while combat constantly evolves with technological advances, the requirement for combat leaders remains. A battalion--comprising a headquarters and multiple companies or batteries--is the backbone of tactical combat operations. The position of battalion commander exemplifies organizational leadership--a combination of personal leadership and resource management. Commanding such a unit in the high-stakes environment of combat demands exceptional leadership skills honed over years of training. Yet despite their critical role, the experiences and insights of battalion commanders have often been overlooked in the literature. This book addresses that gap by examining the experiences of twelve battalion commanders who successfully led their units in combat, exploring the personal traits, skills, and leadership principles that contributed to their success. By analyzing the common themes of their leadership styles, retired U.S. Army Colonel Jeffrey R. Sanderson, PhD, offers valuable lessons for current and aspiring military leaders and for anyone interested in understanding leadership under the most extreme conditions. AUTHOR: Jeffrey R. Sanderson is a retired U.S. Army Colonel. His military awards include the Silver Star, multiple awards of the Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star. He led Soldiers from the platoon through the Brigade level and successfully commanded a company and a battalion in combat operations. Academically, he has a Masters of Public Administration from Western Kentucky University, a Masters of Military Arts and Sciences from the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies, a Masters of Strategic Studies from the Air War College, and a PhD in Leadership and Organizations from Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina.