Be * Know * Do: Leadership the Army Way

by U.S. Department of the Army, Richard Cavanagh (Foreword), Frances Hesselbein (Introduction)

The United States Army is one of the most complex, best run organizations in the world, and central to the Army's success are strong leadership and exceptional leadership development. Army leaders must be able to act decisively and effectively in challenging situations. But the Army, despite its organizational structure, does not train leaders in a hierarchical manner. Dispersed leadership is the key to the success of the Army leadership model.

Now, for the first time, you can have access to the Army's successful leadership philosophy and the principles that are outlined in Be Know Do the official Army Leadership Manual. Be Know Do makes this critical information available to civilian leaders in all sectors--business, government, and nonprofit--and gives them the guidelines they need to create an organization where leadership thrives.

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Business

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 1976

About the author

The Department of the Army (DA) is one of the three military departments within the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Department of the Army is the Federal Government agency within which the United States Army is organized, and it is led by the Secretary of the Army who has statutory authority 10 U.S.C. § 3013 to conduct its affairs and to prescribe regulations for its government, subject to the limits of the law, and the directions of the Secretary of Defense and the President.

The Secretary of the Army is a civilian official appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The highest-ranking military officer in the department is the Chief of Staff of the Army, who is also a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Other senior officials of the Department are the Under Secretary of the Army (principal deputy to the Secretary) and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (principal deputy to the Chief of Staff.)

The Department of War was originally formed in 1789 as an Executive Department of the United States, and was renamed by the National Security Act of 1947 to the Department of the Army on September 18, 1947. By amendments to the National Security Act of 1947 in 1949, the Department of the Army was transformed to its present-day status.

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The true magic of this book was the simplicity of the message. The authors have found a way to drill the concept of leadership down to three simple words: "be", "know", and "do".

Truthfully, I was just never really excited to pick this book up, but I always enjoyed reading it. I really drew a lot from it for my business. If you're interested in leadership, this is a good read.

[Dan Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not very good.

[Utkarsh Kaushik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great examination of the methods and procedures of the army. Detailed and inspiring at the same time. Got me fired up!

[Rolando Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a must read. This book really resonates with me, I served in the US Army and participated in much of its leadership training I am thankful for the refresher course that this book provided. Character and values driven leadership is the cornerstone of Army leadership training. Subordinates will follow the leader they believe in and they will believe in a leader that embodies character and a "lead from the front" style. Competence, the importance of continuous learning and growth to be able to lead in an ever changing world with competing priorities. Action, leading from the front. Soldiers and subordinates will follow the leader that demonstrates character and competence. I was struck by the importance of team work and growing leaders from within organizations. So much good information, I have already started reading it again.

[Taiyo Tanoue · Rating 4 out of 5]

読了。有事の戦争勝利に絶対的責任を持つ軍隊組織のリーダーシップ論には以前からおおいに興味があった。リーダーシップは曹長クラスをはじめ尉官・佐官・将官と全てのレベルで備わっているべき資質だが、自分のイメージする軍隊のリーダーシップとは「鬼軍曹」などの単語に代表されるいわば職位を盾にした軍隊的・体育会的指導法だった。本書はそんな軍隊リーダーのイメージを一新させるアメリカ陸軍の深遠な哲学・教訓に科学的に触れることができる良書。組織の階層や職位を問わず、リーダーシップには３つの要素がある。「どのような人か（Be）」「何を知っているか（Know）」「どのように行うか（Do）」。リーダーはすべからく組織の方針を理解し、品格を持って実行に移さねばならない。部下（フォロワー）は命令によって動くが、自発的にリーダーを信じて行動する時にその力は最大化される。リーダーは身体的・情動的・知的属性すべての面を備える人間であることが期待される。有効なチームワークの要件は信頼・コミュニケーション・忠誠・無私の奉仕・尊厳・規律。民間企業では他の組織から引き抜いてリーダーに据えることができるが、軍隊組織は内部で育成した人材を登用するのみである。それゆえ軍隊リーダーシップは組織の維持・向上のために常に追求されるべき課題であり、そのリーダーシップ論が卓越したものであることはある意味当然なのだろう。読み始めは直訳的表現にとまどったが進めていくうちに慣れる。

[Major Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this book: good real-world stories of Army leadership; a bit lacking in the application of these principals in the civilian arena.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Universal values for leaders in any role.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is THE book on leadership.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, yet effective strategies to lead others.