Small Unit Leadership: A Commonsense Approach

Retired Col. Dandridge Malone has given us a classic book (1983) on leadership. He starts by defining leadership as working through other people to get a task (mission) done while building the morale and spirit of the group. This is followed by a discussion of what is Army leadership and how it works. Then we get very practical classification of the soldier into 4 categories - willing and able, willing and unable, unwilling but able, and unwilling and unable with a very down to earth discussion of how to handle each category. This is followed by a parallel discussion for groups. Then follows a practical discussion of how to develop soldiers and groups, excellent suggestions, pitfalls, warnings and difficulties. Malone closes with a detailed and practical pointed discussion of 25 different leadership skills from listening to asking the right questions.The book is well written, an easy read, very practical in its applicability, giving good lists to carry in billfolds and packs, well explained, for a leader to know. There are a few exciting tales from military history (Howard's Hill in Vietnam, etc) that add to the value of the book demonstrating the how of achieving as a soldier - leader.The book is 100% military (Army) oriented. But all paramilitary type organizations from fire or police stations to Boy Scouts can benefit from this book. There are items that business and professional organizations can use, but I found those limited. Malone did not intend to address areas other than the small units of the US Army.I feel this is the best and most practical of the many books on leadership that I have read. I did not find "fluff" or extraneous material. I found good solid explanations and examples of leadership and the skills necessary to develop leadership. Malone is right to call this "A Commonsense Approach."A True Classic. I am putting in my personal list of sentinel books.

I spent 17 years in the Air Force and never knew how much I wanted this book to hand. Yes, it's very Army-centric in its vocabulary, but the lessons on leading and managing can be effortlessly transferred to Airmen, Marines, and Sailors.If you want to be a better leader of the men and women who signed up to defend their country, you want this book. If you're already a top-flight leader, you might already know 90% of what's in here, but the remaining 10% will be gold (and is probably in the excellent list of questions to ask your troops). If you already know 100% of what's in this book, then you already know that you should still be getting a copy to push into the hands of those leaders who are going to come after you.

This was a well constructed book for the most part. I enjoyed the author's presentation and content and his leadership thoughts were right on the money. The only reason this was not a five star book for me was the overall length. I labored through the last part of the book (but that could have been a personal problem). Recommended and liked. Would be good for people who are picking up their first supervisory jobs in the military or private sector - makes no difference, the concepts are sound for any leadership environment.

I first purchased this book last December and made it half-way through before I "forgot" it at a bar during the Vikings loss to New Orleans. The book was so good that I had to buy it again to finish it.Quite simply, Small Unit Leadership is a training manual for leadership. I've never been in the military, but feel this leadership guide translates just as well to the business world. It's not like those fluffy, self-helpish books generally written for business leadership. (You know the ones: more feel-good stories, less substance). Think about it, no other organization has made a systematic study of leadership the way the military has. I can picture myself teaching from this book as a textbook someday in a leadership course in business school.The book is written in a clear and concise manner. It lays out in detail the purpose of leadership, how to develop your subordinates, how to understand their styles and develop high performing teams, followed by a detailed list of "how to's."Five stars.

I have read many leadership books, but none as direct and effective as this one. If you are looking for a long read that is full of leadership metaphors and stories, this is not that book. If you are looking for leadership tools that you can start applying immediately, look no further.I cannot say enough about this book. It tremendously enhanced by leadership skills. It has pretty much everything you need to know for An O-3 and below. I would encourage all E-2's and above to read this book and apply it. This really is a common sense approach that has enduring value. This serves as more than a book to read, it is more of a handbook. I referenced it several times over the course of years until I had everything "perfected".Trust me, as a 13 year active duty veteran and senior enlisted, this is the book you are looking for.

This is probably the best book I have ever read on how to mold your small unit. I first read this book over 15 years ago and it totally changed my leadership style. I loaned it to my squad leaders who promptly kept it for their own use. I have bought and gifted several of these books over the years and to a man everyone has said it was a real eye-opener. This book should be mandatory reading at the Warrior Leaders Course (formerly PLDC/PNCOC and whatever else the other services call their first leadership course) and probably for cadets and OBC officers. Some of the training information is dated (OK it is all from the Vietnam era and some early 70s and early 80s stuff) but fight through that to the meat of the book - a blueprint for leading combat Soldiers. Retired Army First Sergeant is my qualification to comment on this.

This author was a genius, wish I had found this sooner in my life. For anyone interested in leading people, this book has some terrific ideas.

common sense? yes. But its exactly whats at the end of our noses that we often miss. He distills years of combat experience into concise, logical thought out chapters and sections with useful diagrams helping to flesh out his deceptively simple prose. Being able to use simple language without resort to management buzz words (which signify the bankruptcy of "management" anyway) Dandridge is able to separate the wheat from the chaff. Sometimes reading much like a York notes or leadership primer text it repays regular rereading. Master the basics, as they say, and you've become an expert. Its common sense.

As a Commissioned and Senior Officer, I have read and studied many books on leadership over the years, but have mainly been frustrated with the vague theoretical ideas, even if backed-up by interesting stories, that are presented in most leadership books, and are difficult to translate into practical action. Small Unit Leadership rectifies this deficiency by giving the reader a step by step action plan via no nonsense "when in this situation, do this" advice. I am now well beyond the main target audience of Captains and Senior NCOs, but I still re-read the book at least once a year, and every time I do I discover additional nuances and add positive layers to my leadership skills. This publication is highly recommended for leaders at any and all levels, but is essential for Junior Officers and Senior NCOs.

This book is without a doubt indispensable reading for NCO's and officers in all branches of the military. As mentioned in several other reviews, this book offers sound, clear and concise direction and practical experience based advice that can be implemented immediately in most cases. There is little fat to the writing, and the several real life stories are used as sound examples of the respective topic rather than filler.I would also recommend this book to civilians, police and other emergency services, and wildland fire crews, as it can help with the prioritization of training, mentor the techniques to foster positive team dynamics, and show how to make all aspects of leadership more effective. It also puts into perspective the chain of command and the role that your team and leadership plays in the bigger picture, and the importance therein.TL:DR I would recommend this book to any leader in any occupation.~ WildmanOne

This book is a practical hand guide to leadership.Although the writer focuses mainly on military leadership the same principles can be easily used for any mangaement role

I am looking for leadership advice as civilian middle management medical leader. If you are interested in a team-oriented aspect of leadership (non military too), then look at "small unit leadership". The mentioned book is extremly well structured and offers a lot of general advice for those who lack an economic leadership education. One of my best books.