Grothe, G: Innovation Versus Adaptability: Seizing the Initi

Whether adjusting to a new environment or to an evolving threat, America's Army of the 21st century must be adaptable and become more innovative. The operational environment is becoming more complicated and complex. Societal trends, such as globalization and the impact technology has and continues to have are some of the trends that contribute to this complexity, leading to numerous challenges for an operational force. Whether faced with a thinking and dynamic enemy or an unfamiliar and challenging environment, Army forces must be able to adapt but also--and perhaps more importantly--to innovate in order to maintain the initiative. To facilitate and improve organizational change that produces leaders who are innovative as well as adaptive the Army must institutionally reevaluate how it trains, educates and develops field grade leaders, in order to ensure that they are innovative and adaptable and moreover, that they are willing to underwrite risk and reinforce innovation of subordinates within their organizations. This is perhaps even more critical as it will enable innovation throughout the institution and potentially transform or fundamentally change the approach to officer education. Army leadership doctrine addresses innovative and adaptive leadership but could do this more effectively. Corporate approaches to innovation within the contemporary business world are relevant, even though there are distinct differences between corporations and the Army. Learning organization behavior, the concept of complex-adaptive problems and organizational culture are concepts that can be applied to both business corporations and the Army. Academic research provides a view of how hierarchical and bureaucratic organizations improve organizational innovation within their respective culture. Changes the Army can and must make involve leadership, doctrine, training and education to move from a culture of process to a culture of innovation. Army leadership can make changes that over