.: A Question of Command

Counterinsurgency Leadership from the Cival War to Iraq

Mark Moyar

• The Ten Attributes of Effective Counterinsurgency Leaders

1. Initiative- 1st the ability to act without specific guidance from above, 2nd the propensity to act energetically and aggressively
2. Flexibility-

   "Creativity without flexibility entails a reluctance to challenge constraints, which limits the space in which creativity can operate.."

   Switch rapidly from one type of thought or action to another, divergence from established practices, accept new tactics, techniques, and procedures of greater utility, deal effectively with moral and political ambiguities
3. Creativity- Generate new methods to solve problems of such diversity and unpredictability as to render them immune to textbook solutions
4. Judgement- The use of logic and intuition to evaluate information and make sound decisions, weigh the multitude of complex, competing, and changing factors that shape, and are shaped by, actions, determine how well subordinate commanders are performing and decide whether underperforming commanders should be reprimanded or relieved
5. Empathy- Appreciate the thoughts and feeling of others, thereby boosting ability to anticipate the consequences of actions, inspire subordinates effectively and gain cooperation from other commanders, forecast the enemy’s next move
6. Charisma- Acting partly through the subconscious and the irrational, charisma makes subordinates and other friendly or neutral parties more willing to follow and more vigorous and resolute in their actions
7. Sociability- Through one-on-one interaction impress and influence others, talk with leaders of other organizations and other nationalities to obtain their cooperation in all manner of endeavors, speak regularly with citizens, cultivate relations with the media, spend time visiting subordinates, enhance capacity for influencing and monitoring
8. Dedication- Effective leadership involves grueling labor, frequent movement through insecure areas, long workdays, and danger. DO NOT neglect important tasks, stay inside headquarters, or minimize operations. DO work the 24 hours days, lead patrols into danger even as men collapse and die, Victory is decided by perseverance.
9. Integrity- Resist temptation to allow corruption, extortion, favoritism, unwarranted use of force, and mistreatment of prisoners. Through example and discipline prevent subordinates from perpetrating abuses of power
10. Organization- Excel at organizing people and actions, prevent derailment or collision of numerous complex activities, maintain discipline and regularly check on subordinates to ensure that they are carrying out their assigned tasks effectively and staying out of mischief