Leadership in Military Education
Leadership doesn’t exist in a vacuum – it thrives within specific contexts. The research we conduct and the insights we gain from the global leadership community only hold meaning when put into practice, particularly in a Ukrainian context.
Collaborating across various sectors, today we share our experiences working with the military. From March 12 to April 10, the Center for Leadership of UCU hosted another foundational course titled “Training Instructors in Leadership.” The objective of this initiative was to introduce innovative teaching methodologies to officers and sergeants within the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Led by experienced instructors Andrii Rozhdestvenskyi and Svitlana Buhai, who boast years of teaching and research collaboration with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the course catered to 16 officers – current instructors from the Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi National Army Academy (Lviv) and the Military Academy (Odesa). Following a rigorous four-day practicum, participants engaged in four weeks of project work, receiving mentoring support from Svitlana Buhai. The culmination of the course occurred on April 9-10, with projects defenses held at the Sheptytskyi Center of Ukrainian Catholic University.
Each participant was tasked with developing a customized training course for cadets of higher military educational institutions. Projects ranged from implementing After Action Review principles at lower and middle levels to exploring the commander’s role in civilian interactions or enhancing performance through design thinking. The diversity of projects reflected varying levels of depth, specificity, and relevance, all with the overarching aim of addressing army challenges through the application of newfound knowledge and personal experiences.
Our key takeaways? Despite the military’s traditional reliance on command-and-control methods, there is a clear demand for leadership insights. Emerging leaders demonstrate a readiness for change, suggesting ample opportunity for implementing innovative approaches. Despite demanding schedules and geographical distances, collaborative decision-making prevailed – a testament to the high level of engagement from all involved. We extend our gratitude to everyone for their dedication to the process and wish participants continued strength in shaping Ukraine’s future military elite. Let’s maintain this connection and continue our journey together!