Lean to lead -The Cadet Officer
Questions and Answers.
How did officers' professional expectations rise with the birth of the modern military? - Answer
Officers were required to be able to master new technology and lead massive armies.
How does the concept of a meritocracy guide militaries in the selection of officers? - Answer
Egalitarian ideas took root, and wealth and ancestry (and later race and gender) were no longer
viewed as fair or honorable measures of a leader.
Why do officers swear an oath of office? - Answer Responsibility should always accompany
authority, so an oath comes before the actual commission.
What is the difference between direct leadership and indirect leadership? - Answer Direct
leadership includes working directly with subordinates, and indirect leadership includes working
through a chain and leading those who will lead.
What are the four forms of indirect leadership? - Answer Leadership from a distance
Leadership through a link
Leadership through creations
Upward influence
What does "link" mean in the context of indirect leadership? - Answer Someone who is
between the person leading and the people being led. This "middle man" is usually led as well
by the leader.
How can upward influence be a positive form of indirect leadership? - Answer When the
subordinate has ideas that are beneficial to the organization.
Why are organizations and leaders expected to honor a public trust? - Answer Leaders who
find themselves in powerful positions have an obligation to the public at large.
What are sample issues relating to corporate social responsibility? - Answer Corruption
Stewardship
Philanthropy
Sustainability
Human rights
, Transparency
Why do professionals often join professional associations? - Answer To honor the public trust
Why do most professional associations adopt a code of ethics? - Answer To earn the public's
trust
What is "dissent?" - Answer The expression of opinions contrary to the official view, and a
means for a leader to call attention to obligations that are higher than the duty to follow orders.
Why is dissent important for the team's success? - Answer Organizations cannot always see
impending issues or threats, but sometimes lower-ranking people can.
Why should dissent be valued within the military? - Answer Officers cannot be permitted to
order their subordinates into actions which are wrong, and lower ranking officials often have a
better vantage point than generals.
What are principles for dissenting with respect? - Answer Use chain of command
Stay professional and in control of your emotions
Recommend solutions; don't just complain about issues
Pick your battles
What are principles for encouraging and receiving dissenting views from subordinates? - Answer
Create an environment that welcomes dissent
Don't take it personally
Assume the dissenter is trying to help the team
Thank people
Give credit when you change your view
Why must leaders be skilled in moral reasoning? - Answer They play a special role in resolving
problems that have ethical dimensions.
What is the case for moral relativism? - Answer Judgements of right and wrong have varied
over time. According to this line of thinking, ethics is really a matter of cultural acceptance. This
viewpoint is democratic.