The Micromanagement Myth and Mission Command: Making the Case for Oversight of Military Operations

Authors

Christopher J. Lamb, Center for Strategic Research, Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS)

Files

Description

This paper argues that leaders, historians, and pundits have grossly exaggerated civilian micromanagement of the U.S. military, resulting in less effective civilian and military oversight of military operations and a reduced likelihood that military operations will achieve strategic results. Exaggerating the frequency and impact of civilian micromanagement encourages military leaders to distance themselves from oversight and disinclines Presidents from exercising it. There is also evidence that within the military chain of command, an exaggerated concern with civilian micromanagement has distorted understanding of good leadership and the Joint Staff’s “mission command” doctrine, encouraging the military to ignore its own time-honored leadership principles.

Publication Date

8-2020

Publisher

National Defense University Press

City

Washington, DC

Recommended Citation

Lamb, Christopher J., "The Micromanagement Myth and Mission Command: Making the Case for Oversight of Military Operations" (2020). INSS Strategic Perspectives. 2.
https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/inss-strategic-perspectives/2