Illumination
•Reflection upon the statements associated with the
Epitome of “Command and Control”
leave one unsettled as to the accuracy of these statements. Why? Command, by definition, means to direct, order, or
compel while control means to regulate,
restrain, or hold to a certain standard as well as to direct or command.
•Against these standards it seems that the command and
control (C&C) we are speaking
of is different than the kind that is being applied. In this sense, the
C&C we are speaking of seems
more closely aligned to leadership (rather than command) and to some kind of monitoring ability (rather than control) that permits leadership
to be effective.
•In other words, leadership with monitoring, rather than
C&C, seems to be a better way
to cope with the multi‑faceted aspects of uncertainty, change, and
stress. On the other hand,
monitoring, per se, does not appear to be an adequate substitute for control. Instead, after some sorting and reflection, the
idea of appreciation seems better.
Why? First of all, appreciation includes the recognition of worth or value and
the idea of clear perception as well
as the ability to monitor. Moreover, next, it is difficult to believe that leadership can even exist
without appreciation.
•Pulling these threads together suggests that appreciation and leadership offer a more
appropriate and richer means than C&C for shaping and adapting to circumstances.
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