An Cosantóir

32 to look at how the lessons he learned are still vital today as leaders fight to bring their organisations through the current Covid-19 pandemic. General McChrystal is a senior fellow at Yale University's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, where he teaches a course on leadership. He also sits on the boards of a large number of businesses and organisations. His own McChrystal Group has partnered with organisations in financial services, oil and gas, healthcare, energy, engineering and the public sector for a number of years. Helping them turn the lens on themselves is a major part of what they do. He is a successful speaker on leadership and the author of a number of books on the same subject, including his memoir 'My Share of the Task' which was a New York Times bestseller in 2013. Another New York Times bestseller in 2015 was his 'Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World' and he co-authored 'Leaders: Myth and Reality', a Wall Street Journal bestseller. General McChrystal started by comparing the Covid-19 pandemic to a terrorist threat, in how it grew very quickly and was deadly. He spoke about his experience in Iraq and when he took command in Afghanistan, he was also asked what three big things he could take away from his experience, he explained that there were actually four. Firstly General McChrystal discussed the importance of intelligence in the battlespace, saying they spent a lot of time looking at how Al-Qaeda operated, and that they needed to understand how they operated themselves. He explained that you need to find out what works before trying to solve the problem, and what you are not going to be able to solve. The second was to understand the problem – US Forces did not just want to takeout the leadership of Al-Qaeda but understand them. He further explained that Iraqi civilians, even those who didn't support Al-Qaeda fundamentals, were still assisting them. So they needed to look further back on why the Populus was doing this. Thirdly it was adapting, early in command you need to have the ability to adapt – starting with an assumption – we have to change our mindset and start with ourselves. This is based on decision making. His final point was good people; he asked if those in leadership positions need to look in the mirror? Then he added yes, that they need to do so a lot. Speaking about devolved leadership and pushing it down the chain of command he explained that we need to provide the inspiration to hit them every day and that in the absence of leadership the organisation will fail. He added that it can be quiet leadership, but it must be continuous. He finished by saying that someone down at ground level can make a decision on the ground that could be harmful to the main intention and so 'the mission' needs to be shared down the chain too. Looking at Covid-19 he explained that to defeat a pandemic you have to make decisions early, that may look irrational but must be scientifically based, and to get in front of the pandemic because once it has passed you, you are losing. One final point that he made which relates to all militaries around the world was that every soldier now has access to a smart phone with internet access. They can contact home during an operation and discuss information. Commanders now have to compete with that and understand that they have to give a consistent flow of information down the chain. He concluded by saying people can sniff out spin and that the information can then be discounted – so to use less spin when passing down the mission and orders. This was a great discussion on leadership and many thanks to CSARN for the invitation. To learn more about CSARN or to see further talks visit: www.csarn.org. Visit www. mcchrystalgroup.com to learn more about the McChrystal Group. About the Author: Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald joined the Defence Forces in 1990, serving initially with the 5 Inf Bn. During his near 31-year career he has worked in a number of roles within the Army and Air Corps. He has served overseas as a peacekeeper with the UN, EU and NATO PfP in Lebanon (1991), Kosovo (2002, 2010) and Bosnia (2008). He has served as the editor of An Cosantóir Magazine from May 2011 until August 2020. Wayne along with Paul O'Brien is the co-author of Shadow Warriors, which tells the story behind the creation of the Army Ranger Wing from its origins in the 1960s and 70s to its formation in 1980 and subsequent 40- year history at home and overseas. General Stanley McChrystal, commander of ISAF with US Army Major General Michael T. Flynn, chief of intelligence for ISAF, listen to a briefing by 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team commander, Colonel James Johnson, during a visit to FOB Shank, March 2010. Photo: Pfc. Michael Sword, 173rd Airborne Brigade/US Army LEADERSHIP IN TIMES OF CRISIS

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