Posted on Jul 7, 2017
Beyond Checkers and Chess: What Junior Leaders Can Do to Develop Strategic Thinking
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"o better explore the value of developing strategic understanding in junior leaders, this article explores flaws in strategic thinking by looking at the game of chess, a game of perfect information, a single objective, defined territory, and no regard for the state of the board after victory. Next, it looks at how the Chinese game of Wei Ch’i can offer solutions for framing a better way of thinking strategically: by focusing on positions of advantage, working with uncertainty, and linking efforts to achieve end-state conditions. Using the lessons of Wei Ch’i, we then look at how the U.S. Army’s operational variables can help us identify comparative advantages and how thinking with strategic empathy helps us understand adversaries and solve the right problems.[6] Finally, we discuss the importance of senior leaders in shaping the problem-solving skills of the next generation of strategic leaders."
Beyond Checkers and Chess: What Junior Leaders Can Do to Develop Strategic Thinking
Posted from thestrategybridge.org
Strategy
Leadership Development
Leadership
Junior Officers
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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LTC Eric Udouj his Model of Interaction of vaguely similar to the OODA loop, with different wording. I have been interested in picking up Wei Ch'i/Go for some time. It is quite a bit faster paced than Chess. I would still recommend chess, too. It can never hurt to be able to think a long game. But Go will teach to think quickly & react quickly. No time to plan 8 moves ahead.
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3-D chess? Stratego? Search optimization strategies on computers? Multi-petabyte storage/search/retrieval?
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Hmm interesting read but I have some issues with the article. Firstly "While the character of war is indeed increasing in complexity, the essence of strategy in warfare remains unchanged." is not a statement I can agree with right now. The strategic priorities of the Cold War are not the same as current low to mid intensity conflicts. There is a cyclical nature to some of the conflicts in the world but there is an increasing shift required to understanding and influencing cultures and populations to achieve desired end states.
Chess is no where near as simple as described in my opinion. I have played since I was around eight years old. While you can ignore your opponent and focus solely on the board and the pieces it is a mistake! Would you play poker and not consider your opponent? You must certainly can bluff and manipulate your opponent in chess or any other game. While I do like the idea of increasing the use of strategic thinking through games like Wei Ch’i they are just one part of a well rounded education for a military Leader.
Chess is no where near as simple as described in my opinion. I have played since I was around eight years old. While you can ignore your opponent and focus solely on the board and the pieces it is a mistake! Would you play poker and not consider your opponent? You must certainly can bluff and manipulate your opponent in chess or any other game. While I do like the idea of increasing the use of strategic thinking through games like Wei Ch’i they are just one part of a well rounded education for a military Leader.
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