Should leaders “keep the flowers blooming” or just “keep the cogwheels greased?” Estonian soldiers’ perceptions of the role of a military leader

ABSTRACT

Using qualitative content analysis, this article focuses on the question of how conscripts in the Estonian Defense Forces perceive a good military leader. We found that interpersonal competency was the most desirable trait, followed by leadership competency, highlighting the value placed on human-centered approaches rather management skills, at least in training situations. The article concludes that the younger generation needs reasoning and individual consideration above all, and value the balance between a demanding and tolerant attitude, which creates a natural followership for leaders.

KEYWORDS:

• Military leader
• competencies
• leadership
• conscript(s)
• Estonian defence forces

Acknowledgments

The research was conducted as part of “The Leadership Development Program of the EDF 2018–2022.”

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ülle Säälik

Ülle Säälik is a lecturer and a field leader at the Estonian Military Academy. With a background in educational sciences, she is also active as a researcher and involved in the development activities of the academy, including the leader development program. She studies leadership, morale, personality, and identity.

Tiia-Triin Truusa

Tiia-Triin Truusa works as a manager of academic and outreach activities at the Baltic Defense College and as a research fellow in military sociology at the University of Tartu. Her research mainly focuses on the interconnections between civilian and military spheres in society.

Artur Meerits

Artur Meerits has a doctoral degree in business administration from the University of Tartu. With both a military and academic background, he currently studies higher level leadership at the Baltic Defense College.