Academic Chair of Military Ethos and Leadership

​​​​Both Military Ethos and Leadership support command action. They permeate and support each other and rest over the focal point of each military command: the soldier. Thus, both Military Ethos and Leadership focus on a formerly civilian citizen whose oath of allegiance to the Italian Republic makes them defenders of the Country. The more military leaders keep the ‘human factor’ at the core of every soldier’s task, the more they will be able to preserve their moral and ethical values and lead effectively. Successful leadership ensues from acting as a soldier towards other fellow soldiers whose future and mission depend on the deeply rooted moral values, steadfast motivation, sound skills, wide experience and broad technical knowledge of their leaders. Consequently, the ‘human factor’ bridges the concepts of military ethos and military leadership.

Learning Objectives

• Develop and consolidate awareness of military ethos in verbal, non-verbal, and digital communication, as well as by means of behaviour and decisions Army soldiers and Commanders adopt;
• Propose a set of personal qualities, relational soft skills and professional skills that people need to develop in order to diversify Commanders’ Leadership and Ethos models, and to adjust them to the contingencies and scenarios they can face.
  

Learning Mode
The course syllabus includes a mix of frontal lectures, simulations, training activities and multidisciplinary case study analysis. They add to training paths designed to develop the mental flexibility Commanders need to analyse situations and choose the most cost-effective and ethical leadership approach based on the circumstances under which they operate.

Target Audience:
The chair of Military Ethos and Leadership was established to develop learning paths for officers, NCOs and Enlisted personnel attending Military Education Institutes or serving on operations. The syllabi content is adjusted and tailored to the specific target audience.
Specifically, the Chair

• follows closely the officers’ training and contributes to each educational step along the career paths and rank progression – i.e., Basic Training, Company Commanders Course, Staff Course, Battalion Commanders Course, etc.
• implements ad hoc activities for Special Entry Path, Professionally Qualified, Selected Force and On Term Officers.
  

Subjects covered

• Development of leadership awareness at unit level, that is of the duties and responsibilities related to assignments and the military;
• ethical standards underlying the actions of soldiers and his chain of command;
• decision-making process and achievement of organizational goals;
• establishing and maintaining strong relationships of trust with individuals and groups;
• establishing a favourable work climate for depending personnel;
• managing the organisational climate in units where personnel belongs to different age groups and has uneven levels of experience;
• setting an example to strengthen authority and nurture credibility;
• managing disciplined initiatives;
• developing motivation and resilience in military professionals;
• diversifying leadership styles;<(li>
• developing dual skills as both manager and leader.

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