Reinventing the Leader Selection Process: The U.S. Army’s new approach to managing talent

Date

2020

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Harvard Business Review

Abstract

The U.S. Army has long struggled with toxic and inept leaders, and no wonder: It has historically chosen battalion commanders, a linchpin position, on the basis of 90-second file reviews. Last year it undertook an ambitious revamping of that selection process, which now involves four full days of physical, cognitive, and psychological assessments and interviews. The author, a lieutenant colonel who served as an adviser to the task force that designed and implemented the new process, describes it in granular detail, including a variety of rigorous measures for reducing interviewer bias and ensuring diversity and inclusion. Although specifically aimed at improving the validity, reliability, and developmental impact of the army’s executive-leader selections, the redesigned process offers important lessons for any organization seeking to bolster its talent assessment and promotion practices.

Description

Keywords

Leadership, Promotion practices, Talent assessment

Citation

Spain, Everett. "Reinventing the Leader Selection Process: The U.S. Army’s new approach to managing talent". Harvard Business Review, 2020.

DOI