McChrystal Group “Team of Teams”

In preparation for the US State Department’s Office of Overseas Schools Leadership Symposium, I read retired General Stanley McChrystal’s book, Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World. The premise is in a rapidly changing environment, the traditional hierarchical structures of leadership fail. It advocates for flexible, decentralized teams that can rapidly adapt and communicate across organizational boundaries to foster innovation and resistance in complex environments.

I see the leader needing to reiterate the shared purpose of our school often to all employees, emphasizing our goal and each team’s part in it. (COMMON PURPOSE). We need to ask good questions with a kind demeanor and look for ways for teams to contact each other more frequently. (TRUSTING TEAMS). Leaders should create a culture in which these questions are not threatening and develop non-defensive answering techniques. Hold more frequent, shorter, daily Operations and Intelligence briefings (SHARED CONSCIOUSNESS). School leaders have a mindset of “EYES ON – HANDS OFF” and show enthusiasm, and interest and offer not only advice but encouragement while doing the rounds. Remember to first observe and listen deeply to understand. (EMPOWERED EXECUTION).

I also read on his website this idea of “Leading Like a Gardener”. I see this style of leadership as focusing on coaching individuals to develop their decision-making skills and motivation, instead of telling people what to do all the time. A leader develops a soil (culture) that plants (people) can thrive in.

McChrystal is an interesting figure. Is was a career military man and an innovative US military leader in Afghanistan and Iraq. President Obama replaced him when Rolling Stone Magazine published his (and his aides) disparaging opinion of the US government’s policies and actions in the war effort. His techniques were also considered controversial by some. He seems highly respected, however, as his post-military life is successful. He teaches at Yale and runs a consulting firm, the McChrystal Group. We will be spending an afternoon at the offices of the McChrystal Group. I also am interested in his personal lifestyle of running 7-8 miles daily and eating only 1 meal. I think it is important for leaders not only to stay mentally sharp but physically fit as well and I would like to hear from him if he feels the same and exactly why this is so. I am going to listen to several interviews he has given over the years to get a better feel for his leadership philosophy.