Diverse Leadership Strategies – From Prosocial Behavior to Military Tactics
Cutting-edge leadership strategies are critical for steering organizations through the complexities of today’s technological and business landscapes. In this edition of the IEEE TEMS Leadership BRIEFS we examine effective leadership strategies crucial for navigating today’s rapidly changing business environment. Andrei O. J. Kwok and Motoki Watabe emphasize the importance of prosocial behavior in engineering management, advocating for a workplace that promotes cooperation and teamwork to enhance organizational effectiveness. Johannes Kern, in his Leadership BRIEF, applies military strategy principles like Suppress, Obscure, Secure, Reduce, and Assault (SOSRA) to business management, demonstrating how companies like Tesla utilize these strategies to maintain market leadership in competitive industries. Additionally, Frank Einhorn and Jack Meredith critique traditional project management methods such as Earned Value (EV) Management, which often fails to adapt to the fluid nature of business projects. They propose the more adaptable PPTR (Project Progress Tracker), a straightforward spreadsheet tool that provides timely project updates, helping managers make informed decisions and sustain stakeholder confidence.
The TEMS Leadership BRIEFS are a free membership benefit for all TEMS members. If you would like to contribute to the IEEE TEMS Leadership BRIEFS please contact me at sabine.baumann@ieee.org. I do hope this issue of the IEEE TEMS Leadership BRIEFS provides you with new ideas and actionable insights. You as a leader are responsible to prepare your team and organization for the future!
Sabine Baumann, Editor-in-Chief
In this Issue
Andrei O. J. Kwok and Motoki Watabe – Why Prosocial Behavior Matters in Engineering Management
Prosocial behavior is essential in engineering management, fostering a workplace where teamwork and helpfulness lead to enhanced performance and communication. Promoting employees who prioritize the welfare of others, known as cooperators, can improve overall organizational effectiveness. In their Leadership BRIEF Andrei O. J. Kwok & Motoki Watabe show that engineering managers can benefit from encouraging these behaviors to maintain a competitive edge in a dynamic environment.
Johannes Kern – From Battlefield to Boardroom: Leveraging SOSRA for Business Success
In today’s dynamic business environment, leveraging military strategy principles like those found in “The Art of War” offers valuable insights for competitive business strategies. Johannes Kern in his Leadership BRIEF demonstrates how the military principle of Suppress, Obscure, Secure, Reduce, and Assault (SOSRA) provides a strategic framework that companies like Tesla use to maintain market leadership in electric vehicles and clean energy. By adopting such military strategies, companies can navigate market challenges innovatively and aggressively, securing a competitive edge and driving sustainable growth.
Frank Einhorn and Jack Meredith – Meaningful Business Project Status Information: Why You Need it. How to Get It.
In both government and private sectors, effective project management is essential for achieving strategic objectives. Traditional methods like Earned Value (EV) Management often struggle with the fluid nature of business projects due to rigid assumptions about activities and costs. Frank Einhorn and Jack Meredith propose using the PPTR (Project Progress Tracker) that offers a more adaptable approach, using a simple spreadsheet to track project progress. PPTR provides timely, meaningful status updates, helping managers make informed decisions and maintain stakeholder confidence, ultimately supporting better project outcomes and reinforcing leadership effectiveness.
Alexander Brem – Editor’s Picks Engineering Management Review (EMR)
The latest edition of IEEE Engineering Management Review (EMR) brings you key topics vital for engineering managers. This issue features articles on enhancing online retail consumer value through blockchain technology, understanding why AI projects fail, and a practical toolkit for improving password security in organizations. These topics, essential for today’s technology landscape, are designed to provide actionable insights that benefit your daily work.
