The Need for Organisational Resilience Chapter 5

• Every commander is to commit his entire personality in any situation without facing

responsibility. A readiness to assume responsibility is the most important of all qualities of

leadership. It must not, however, go so far as to lead to headstrong decisions without regard

for the whole, or to the imprecise execution of orders, or to an I-know-better-than-you-attitude.

Independence should not turn into arbitrariness. But independence which knows its limits is

the foundation for great success…

• Commanders are to live with the troops and to share with them danger and deprivation,

happiness and suffering. Only thus can they gain a real insight into their troops’ fighting power

and requirements.

The individual man is responsible not merely for himself but for his comrades also. Whoever

possesses more ability, is stronger, must aid and lead the inexperienced and the weak.

On such information does the feeling of real comradeship grow. Its importance in relations

between commanders and men is as great as among the men themselves.

• … It is every commander’s duty to proceed against breaches of discipline, to prevent

excesses, plundering, panic, and other harmful effects by using every means at his disposal,

including even the most drastic ones.

Discipline is the central pillar on which the army is built. Its strict maintenance is a blessing for

all.

• The troops’ strength must be conserved so that the highest demands can be made on them at

the decisive moment. Whoever demands unnecessary chores sins against the prospect of

success.

The use of force in combat must be proportionate to the purpose at hand. Demands that are

incapable of fulfilment are as harmful to the troops’ confidence in their leaders as they are to

their morale.

• Personal influence by the Commanding Officer on his troops is of the greatest importance. He

must be near the fighting troops.

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