General David Petraeus co-wrote Conflict with the historian Andrew Roberts. Mark “Moose” McGrath and I had both read it. We asked the general how the ideas came together and why they apply well beyond the military.
From Vietnam to Ukraine
General Petraeus puts the Russian invasion of Ukraine in historical context. He draws on Iraq and Afghanistan, and on how Vietnam shaped the strategies that followed.
A framework for strategic leaders
The general lays out his strategic leadership framework. Get the big ideas right. Communicate them. Oversee their execution. Then refine them. We talk about the missteps in Afghanistan and how a culture of strategic leadership helps any organization. Netflix adapted as its market changed. Blockbuster and Kodak did not. He also has a few words about a Netflix movie’s take on military leadership.
Educating leaders
We discuss how military education is changing and the need for interdisciplinary skills. The general talks about West Point and how it prepares leaders to balance technical expertise with cultural and academic insight. He reflects on Ulysses S. Grant and the lasting influence of the academy on its graduates.
For anyone leading through a hard transition, the framework travels well.
Which of your big ideas has gone longest without a refresh?
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