Author Description

Introduction to this Special Supplement on Leadership Breakthroughs from West Point Leader to Leader has published many outstanding leaders and thinkers—from Peter Drucker, Herb Kelleher, and Rosabeth Moss Kanter to Max De Pree, Margaret Wheatley, and Hugh Price. The contributors to this special supplement to Leader to Leader are not as well known, but in our estimation, they are just as exemplary—and their dedication and faithful service to our nation are inspirations. In this special supplement, we are honored to present articles from Army leaders who teach in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at West Point. They are all active duty officers who offer us firsthand accounts of what Army leadership means to them. Although they make references to war, life-and-death decisions, and heroic actions, their real focus is on quiet leadership, mission, values, taking care of people, organizational learning, leading change—and many other topics that cut across all organizations, public and private. This special supplement is not intended to hold up the U.S. Army as a perfect institution—indeed as you read these pages you will see that these Army leaders and teachers are very much aware of what the Army can do to improve and of what they can do to help lead those improvements. Our intent is simply to hold up the courageous leadership that the Army teaches and practices. May it enlighten and inspire us all. A Look Ahead Colonel Thomas Kolditz leads off with his deeply insightful article, “The In Extremis Leader.” In extremis means “at the point of death.” Kolditz has conducted two years of research on leaders who confront situations that are life-threatening, people such as police officers, firefighters, soldiers, and mountain guides. “For those of us who lead professionally,” he writes, “a look at in extremis leadership can be a magnifier, adding clarity and detail to what we al