Practicing Strategic Leadership Without a License

This research examines existing leadership theories, doctrine, and practices to determine the appropriateness of institutional preparation and development (education and training) of future Joint leaders for holistic, systemic, problem management--preparation for strategic leadership. The research addresses the topic of strategic leadership to find out the extent to which leadership doctrine prepares senior leaders and their advisors for the distinct environment of policy formulation and strategy development, so one can better understand 1) strategic leader behavior, 2) the extent to which it is idiosyncratic, and 3) how the Design approach could facilitate strategic leadership. The totality of the requirements for strategic leaders are not articulated as finite, but instead draw upon the multiple frameworks that one develops from experience, informed intuition, training, broad education, and refined judgment. While this descriptive doctrinal approach for strategic leadership is more appropriate for the ambiguity, complexity and uncertainty of the strategic environment, it does not highlight the discontinuity of leader development from direct and organizational levels.