Should leaders “keep the flowers blooming” or just “keep the cogwheels greased?” Estonian soldiers’ perceptions of the role of a military leader

Bibliographic Data

ID11264312
AuthorsÜlle Säälik (0000-0002-6471-1595, Estonian National Defense College, corresponding author), Tiia-Triin Truusa (0000-0002-1862-1361, University of Tartu, Baltic Defence College), Artur Meerits (0000-0002-8250-2201, Estonian Military Academy, Baltic Defence College)
Year2024
Volume55
Issue4
Pages707-728
Publication date2024-10-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Baltic Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0162-9778 • E-ISSN: 1751-7877
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01629778.2024.2306901
OpenAlexW4391172109
LanguageEN
References cited23

Using qualitative content analysis, this article focuses on the question of how conscripts in the Estonian Defense Forces perceive a good military leader. We found that interpersonal competency was the most desirable trait, followed by leadership competency, highlighting the value placed on human-centered approaches rather management skills, at least in training situations. The article concludes that the younger generation needs reasoning and individual consideration above all, and value the balance between a demanding and tolerant attitude, which creates a natural followership for leaders

Economics · Estonian · Management · Perception · Political science · Human Resource and Talent Management · Military History and Strategy · Military, Security, and Education Studies · Philosophy · Psychology

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