ABSTRACT
Modern management theory espouses a more collaborative approach. In today’s society, people are less willing to know their place, and accept just being told what to do. They require explanations, they need to have ‘ownership’ (a much used word) of decisions. Surely, though, there’s a tension here? Isn’t it sometimes necessary for a leader to use his or her authority and, in effect, give orders? Where’s the borderline beween collaborative management and the wielding of authority? A good place to pin this down, I thought, would be in the armed forces, so I went to see somebody who’s right at the top.
