Building Strategic Competence: Observations from Battlegrounds Overseas and in Washington, D.C.

This course addresses the issues faced in assuming executive responsibility, developing clear visions and missions, understanding complex problem sets, building teams, and developing strategies to overcome obstacles and take advantage of opportunities. It is offered for students who might lead large, complex organizations or pursue opportunities leading to partial or full ownership and control of a business as well as those who want to serve in senior positions in government. The course draws on the experience of the lecturer as a general officer in the Army and as the 26th Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs to illuminate critical aspects of leadership, strategy development, and effective implementation. The course places personal experiences in historical context and in context of select leadership and management literature.