MEN OF STEEL #Military Leadership for India

Editors: AK Singh | YashMor

Since time immemorial, leadership has charted the destinies of nations and organisations for better or worse. While the world has transformed in every conceivable way in the last one hundred years, the principles of leadership have stood the test of time.

The volatility and complexity of the regional and international environment are the new normal. This has necessitated a de novo examination of leadership challenges in the context of the VUCA environment and the digital revolution.

The 15 chapters which comprise this offering cover a wide canvas of the nuances and imperatives of leadership, matched with outstanding authors of proven credentials. The book, while being focussed on military leadership, should also appeal to a wider cross-section of academia, governance professionals, the corporate world and all other fields where leadership plays a defining role.

The Indian Armed Forces are the ultimate guarantors of the nation’s security and well-being. How this instrument of last resort performs will be determined by the leadership that steers the organisation in peace and leads it in war. The concluding part of this book examines how to produce leaders who are steadfast and visionary, who will measure up to the highest standards of military skills, and who possess the strength of character and mental resilience to carry the burdens that modern warfare conditions impose.

Editors: AK Singh | YashMor

Lt Gen AK Singh, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd) is a Distinguished Fellow with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi and an Advisor with OP Jindal Global University. The General is former GOC-in-C Southern Command and erstwhile Lt Governor of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry.

Maj Gen (Dr.) YashMor, SM (Retd) is active in motivating and inspiring lakhs of young people across the country through his YouTube channel and social media presence. He is also an Educator at Unacademy, India’s largest learning platform. As CEO of Save the Himalayas Foundation, he is working on the fragile ecology of the region.

“Despite all technological advancements and the digital revolution, military leadership still remains the ultimate adjudicator on the modern battlefield. ‘Men of Steel #Military Leadership for India’, is a collection of very high value essays by renowned authors and co-edited by two very distinguished military leaders, who have epitomized leadership at the tactical, operational and strategic levels.

When India is beset with formidable challenges, it’s the Armed Forces who keep India safe, and their performance is to a large extent dependent on the military leadership that steers the organization in peace and leads it in war. I strongly commend this book not only for the uniformed fraternity, but even those outside the uniform, whose core calling is leadership.”

—Lt Gen D S Hooda, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM & Bar (Retd)
Former Army Commander and Strategic Expert

“Over the last two decades, the character of warfare has changed dramatically—with conflicts visible on television screens—and thus the room for errors in judgement has been greatly reduced. Therefore, the demands on military leaders—at the tactical, operational and for a select even at a strategic level—has increased manifold. How the military prepares its leaders for the future, and could learn lessons from its past, is explained in this rare and insightful collection of essays by experienced practitioners and observers. It deserves tobe read widely, as it has lessons for us all.”

—Maroof Raza
Army Officer (Retd), Author and Media Person

Contents

Foreword

Editors

Introduction

1. Strategic Leadership Imperatives: Role of Military Leaders in Defining and Enhancing National Security
AK Singh

2. Preparing Operational Leaders for Conflict in the 21st Century
BS Dhanoa

3. Shortfall in Senior Leadership: 1962 and 1965
Shiv KunalVerma

4. Redemption: The Revival of Strategic Leadership in 1971
Arjun Subramaniam

5. The Kargil War: A Story of Grit, Determination
MohinderPuri

6. Mentorship and Grooming: A Solemn Responsibility
Syed Ata Hasnain

7. Civil-Military Interface to Optimise Leadership
AK Singh and SM Kumar

8. Leadership Challenges in Uncertain Operational Environment
VK Ahluwalia

9. Junior Leadership and Role of Commanding Officer: The Key to Victory
YashMor

10. Trust and Ownership: The Essential Building Blocks
Anil Sengar

11. Need to Reinvigorate Leadership Training in Military Academies
Asit Mistry

12. Team of Teams: Synergising Efforts of Small Teams
YashMor

13. Professional Military Education in the Armed Forces
AB Shivane

14. Olive Greens to Corporate and Entrepreneurship: Transitioning to a Second Career
SM Kumar

15. Military Leadership: The Way Forward
AK Singh and Anil Sengar

Index