Unity of command or unity of effort?
Unity of effort is an approach which focuses alignment of overall objectives or end state.
Serving in the Army prior to 9/11 we practiced warfare on a somewhat structured battlefield. We drew boundary lines on a map and commanders (or CEOs) were given their specific area and additional forces to accomplish specified missions. Inside of those boundary lines and within the ‘org chart’ commanders enjoyed unity of command. All units and people fell inside the commander’s authority. Following 9/11 battlefields became very ambiguous and complex, the ‘org chart’ even more so. The Army for instance had to team up with other governmental agencies like the State Department and USAID to name only a few. We did not have authority over those agencies yet they were vital to our success. Therefore we had to seek and foster unity of effort.
Unity of effort is an approach which focuses alignment of overall objectives or end state. End state is a place where various agencies and people find common ground then focus their ‘effort’ in this direction. For some leaders unity of effort was a bitter pill to swallow as it required an increased level of collaboration and compromise. Unity of command was easy in comparison.
Businesses and leaders find themselves in similar positions, especially at levels below the C-Suite. Some leaders are called to achieve objectives which require the effort of those they do not control. Even in the C-Suite executives are required to cross ‘lanes’ and seek the commitment of people who do not fall under them in the org chart (more on this in a future blog). Here are 3 of 7 ways you can lead in a unity of effort environment.
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