Auftragstaktik: The Birth of Enlightened Leadership

by Charles S. Oliviero

Auftragstaktik (mission-type tactics) were the foundation of Prussia’s, and later Germany’s, astounding battlefield performances. Universally praised in military circles, Auftragstaktik remains both poorly understood and badly practised. It is sometimes mistaken to be a military leadership strategy, when in fact it is a philosophy that applies to the exercise of leadership in nearly any situation. For many reasons, this uniquely German approach to leadership lies shrouded in a fog of mystery and misinterpretation.

Colonel Oliviero clears away that fog.

He concisely explains the early intellectual and structural growth of this leadership philosophy from before the French Revolution to the eve of the First World War, with a glimpse at the interwar period. He provides the necessary background and understanding to any reader, military or civilian, looking to learn about using mission-type tactics through the lens of history.


Tactics, mastering the principles of combat, always remain piecemeal if the leader hasn’t also mastered the essential principles of leadership. Only thus can troops be successful, even outnumbered. A book well worth reading.
- Karl Ernst Graf von Strachwitz, General der Aufklärungstruppe

… a succinct and very readable account of the development of Auftragstaktik as a leadership philosophy…while also reminding us that persisting in micromanagement, excessive focus on technology, and intolerance of failure, is unlikely to lead to similar success!
– Lieutenant General Sir William Raoul Rollo, KCB, CBE

… a comprehensive and thoughtful explanation of the rise of the Prussian Way of War that is the foundation of modern doctrine…we would do well to incorporate this message into our body of professional knowledge and practice.
– Major General Michael J. Ward, MSC, CD

Whatever your profession, if you aspire to be a leader, you need to read this.
– Colonel Gene Lake, OMM, CD

Genres: Military Fiction, History

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2022

Reviews

[Zare · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this very interesting book, author shows how some elements of the society (in this case related to conflict and war) are specific to the society at hand (in this case Prusso-German). And sometimes even most common sense practices from one society are not easily transferable to other societies. Reason is simple - every society (no matter how intermixed in modern times) have specifics that range from way problems are prioritized, and especially on thought process used. If someone has doubts just look at international food - what passes for exotic foreign food in one location, on point of origin would not even be recognized. Same applies to technology, machines to.... basically everything. Idea changes as it gets transplanted and thus it evolves into something new - whether it will be improvement or degradation depends on conditions and how original idea is perceived in new environment.

I agree with the author that this type of leadership is something to aim for, but like everything else it is very unlikely that outside the original source it will remain in its "original" state. Even this very German approach will change with time as German society changes - this is inevitable because cultures mix and society on macro level is the mid ground of all cultures participating in it.

I also like how author also mentions that Germans never called their way of war Blitzkrieg and how much of hype was product of Allies (in few other books I was amused when German veterans of WW2 clearly said that goal was always annihilation/destruction of enemy, not constant breakthroughs and outflanking - inflicting maximum damage was always the goal).

Very interesting book, with lots of information about Prussian-German military mindset and how it produced concept of highly hierarchical structure that (paradoxically) gave rise to mechanism to empower the entire military to approach warfare in thinking way (limitations applied of course because army is army, and this where thinking also comes into play). German General Staff was and (according to author's modern time experiences) remains one of a kind military organization in the world.

Highly recommended.

[Devin Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't like a previous military strategy book by Oliveiro. in part, for it's lack of morality and bias towards western/NATO views. however, that book introduced me to this concept of Aufragataktik and his book focusing on this topic is a nice encapsulation. A concise historical review of the cultural and structural conditions that developed an interesting leadership philosophy.

At it's heart, Aufragataktik, is a leadership tradition grown out of Prussia and reflecting "mission-led" leadership, meaning that trusted officers can innovate (and even occasionally disobey) as long as they understand the operating guidelines of the mission.

This requires a class of officers and general staff that are developed, trained and have trust in each other. Understandably this is a hard model to emulate, not to mention the challenge of transposing it to other models like business. The benefits though, are legion as armies can respond to changing conditions in real time and take advantage effectively. This model represents an antithesis to micromanaging offering growth and freedom through autonomy.

[Ryan White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poorly edited and printed. Pretty insightful.