Strategic Communication
A Guide to Decision-Making In the U.S. Army Infantry Battalion
This guide was designed to complement doctrine and the Army’s leadership approach. At the battalion level, specifically in an infantry unit, a leader is privileged to lead a range of small teams of 3-5 soldiers up to a company of over 100 soldiers. The communication and leadership challenges are also omni-present. Whether it is dealing with a crisis, conflict, intercultural challenge, or an urgent personal matter, a decision must be made. This decision also requires a communication approach.
The project explores several theories, frameworks, and concepts towards communication and decision-making. Each discipline within the COML program that I completed has contributed to my project, but more importantly has expanded my perspectives and approach towards leading. Most notably, Stewart’s (2004) work on interpersonal communication and Poole & Hollingshead’s (2011) research of small groups and interdisciplinary perspectives influenced the project. Communication ethics and intercultural studies also shaped the design and focus of the project.
The artifacts were designed to be a guidebook to bridge a gap between Army doctrine and practice. Each piece offers a scenario or situation that has or may occur in a unit. It then describes how the Army approaches the topic. Next, I offer specific concepts and frameworks towards those specific scenarios. This would then inform or invite abstract thought or challenge heuristics to reach a decision. I believe the guide would improve communication practices, professional and personal relationships, mental models, and organizational life.
Ethical Approach
The ethical dimensions for this project consist of communication (internal & external), decision-making strategies, moral identification, and character (leader) development. This component of the project is important to individual leaders, subordinates, and organizational energy. Decisions, hasty or deliberate, can have large impacts on people, unit function, and reputation.
Intersectionality
The Army Profession is a great opportunity to meet the challenges of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and cross-cultural barriers. In a battalion size unit, there are a lot of people from all different walks of life, corners of the U.S. and with different backgrounds or cultures. But as one team, with the desire to succeed, inclusion and equal opportunity are necessary for a leader to recognize. Within organizations, where people interface with each other, communication challenges also exist. Whether it is cultural, gender, or racial differences, people may not be as prepared or capable to enter intersectionality or cross-cultural communication dimensions.