Use Technology—Don’t Fear It!

Education

The advancement of military drone capabilities has been astounding. As Damian puts it, “There’s no point in being afraid. A commander’s job is to figure out how to use the latest drones.” As technology evolves, the responsibilities of leaders grow more sophisticated as well.

When asked what we can learn from military commanders’ leadership, ChatGPT—currently stirring much debate—replied with the following:

1.Strategic thinking
2.Decision-making
3.Communication skills
4.Emotional intelligence
5.Adaptability
6.Character and integrity

It is no coincidence that all of these are qualities AI itself cannot replicate.

 

Deep-Dive

Here is the full response from ChatGPT (original text):

“Military personnel often possess strong leadership skills, which can be studied and applied across various contexts. Here are some of the key principles of leadership commonly exemplified by members of the military:

1.Strategic Thinking – Military personnel are trained to think critically and strategically, enabling them to create effective plans and make well-informed decisions.

2.Decision-Making – Leaders often need to make tough decisions under pressure. Military personnel are trained to decide quickly and confidently based on training, experience, and situational awareness.

3.Communication Skills – Effective leaders possess the ability to clearly communicate a team’s vision and goals. Military personnel are trained to communicate effectively under a wide range of conditions, including crisis management.

4.Emotional Intelligence – Effective leaders understand their own emotions as well as those of the people around them. By controlling their emotions and empathizing with subordinates, they can build trust and respect.

5.Adaptability – Military personnel are trained to adapt to changing conditions and environments. They are also able to think creatively and find solutions to unexpected challenges.

6.Character and Integrity – Strong leaders possess personal integrity and strong character. Military personnel are expected to uphold high standards of conduct and to serve as role models in all situations.

These principles represent just a few examples of leadership as embodied by military personnel and can serve as a valuable model for anyone seeking to improve their own leadership skills.”

I also asked: “What should we not learn from military leadership?” (Original Text):

“While military leaders can provide outstanding examples of strong and effective leadership, it is important to be aware of certain aspects of military leadership that may be inappropriate or ineffective in other environments. Here are some points to avoid learning from military leaders:

Authoritarian Leadership – Military leaders often make quick decisions without much input from others. However, in many other settings, such authoritarian leadership can be ineffective and may undermine trust and respect.

Use of Force – Military leaders are trained to use force, including violence, to achieve objectives. This is inappropriate and unacceptable in most other contexts and can have severe negative effects on both individuals and organizations.

Lack of Transparency – Military organizations often operate with limited transparency, and information is not always shared outside the organization. This lack of transparency can breed distrust and lower morale.

Inflexibility – Military leaders are trained to follow strict chains of command and established protocols. In other environments, such inflexibility can stifle creativity and hinder a leader’s ability to adapt to change.

Insensitivity to Cultural Differences – Military organizations are often homogenous and lacking in diversity. Military leaders may be insensitive to cultural differences and fail to appreciate the unique perspectives and needs of people from different backgrounds.

When applying leadership principles learned from military leaders, it is important to keep these negative aspects and other factors in mind and to consider the cultural, organizational, and situational context.”

Commentary and Insights:

Interestingly, four of the five “things not to learn” (points 1, 3, 4, and 5) were characteristics most evident during the old command-and-control era. The management approach developed to correct these weaknesses is called Mission Leadership®. This shows that ChatGPT has not yet fully incorporated the latest military management practices.

Writing this deep-dive based largely on ChatGPT’s own responses reveals something else: AI itself suggests new ways of learning. No human can match AI’s breadth and neutrality of knowledge. And in terms of speed, what would take a human hours of searching and summarizing can be produced by AI in seconds or minutes.

At the same time, AI’s limitations become clear. The greatest thing human beings can offer in leadership education is passion. Passionate speeches and actions have the power to ignite hearts.

Likewise, vivid real-life examples can only be conveyed by humans. Successes and failures drawn from personal experience—complete with the excitement of the moment or the regret that came later—offer insights AI cannot replicate.

What is most valuable in learning from real people is that passion and examples can actually change behavior. Simply acquiring knowledge about leadership leads only to self-satisfaction. A leader’s true role is to change their own behavior and influence others.

McKinney Rogers Japan will continue to harness AI while delivering value that AI alone cannot provide. After all, technology is there to be used!