{"id":9558,"date":"2025-08-29T15:36:42","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T13:36:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loehmer-consulting.com\/?p=9558"},"modified":"2026-07-21T17:40:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T15:40:28","slug":"fuehrungskrise-made-in-germany-hat-das-aus-der-wehrpflicht-unsere-chefs-weich-gemacht","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loehmer-advisory.de\/en\/fuehrungskrise-made-in-germany-hat-das-aus-der-wehrpflicht-unsere-chefs-weich-gemacht\/","title":{"rendered":"Gert L\u00f6hmer: Leadership Crisis Made in Germany"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Leadership Crisis Made in Germany: Has the End of Conscription Made Our Bosses Soft?\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Article on GA.de, August 2025<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Emmerthal (ots) \u00b7 Unclear directives, conflict-averse communication, leadership by ad-hoc instruction \u2014 many German companies today have a leadership style that offers little real orientation. Younger leaders in particular struggle with responsibility and assertiveness.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Critics see a cultural break: since the end of conscription, there has been a lack of early friction points, clear hierarchical experience, and an understanding of leadership as service to the organization.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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For many men, military service was the only phase of life in which they gained experience outside their usual social environment and experienced, were challenged by, and reflected on leadership. This formative framework is entirely absent today. The following article describes how the lack of military or structural formation affects today's leadership culture, and what companies can do to develop strong leaders nonetheless.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Today: Common Leadership Deficits in Many Companies<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The failure of leaders can usually be traced back to one or more typical leadership deficits. Often, the first is a lack of genuine will to lead. Without a deeply felt desire to guide people and take responsibility for them, a leader cannot hold their ground in critical situations.<\/span><\/p>

In addition, many leaders today are afraid to make decisions and to stand by the negative consequences if needed. Conflict is often avoided rather than addressed clearly and openly \u2014 which quickly creates tension within the team.<\/span><\/p>

Other common weaknesses include a lack of natural authority and insufficient emotional stability, especially under stress. All of these factors can significantly impair leadership capability.<\/span><\/p>

Stoic philosophy, on the other hand, captures the desirable qualities of a leader well. It teaches clarity of thought, the ability to distinguish between what can and cannot be controlled, composed action, and emotional self-leadership \u2014 especially under pressure.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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In the Past: Conscription as a Tool for Developing Leadership Skills<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Through conscription, young men used to gain automatic exposure to competent leadership. There, they learned to follow orders, but also to give them, internalizing that leadership cannot function without discipline, communication, and trust.<\/span><\/p>

Through hierarchical advancement, they also experienced taking responsibility for others.<\/span><\/p>

Stress and crises are also part of everyday life in the armed forces, whether in exercises or real situations. Conscripts experienced leadership not only under good conditions, but precisely under pressure.<\/span><\/p>

As a result, they themselves increasingly developed resilience to stress and the ability to manage crises \u2014 qualities that today's leaders often lack.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Alternatives: Institutions and Programs That Prepare People for Leadership<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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It is also clear that there are alternatives to conscription. Volunteer work, especially in the social sector, is one good way to take on responsibility for others.<\/span><\/p>

Discipline, team spirit, and conflict resolution skills, meanwhile, are fostered especially through competitive and team sports. Other options include dedicated mentoring and sponsorship programs, where young people learn attitude and self-reflection from experienced individuals.<\/span><\/p>

Institutions such as the fire department or police regularly conduct practical leadership exercises \u2014 and it pays off.<\/span><\/p>

To prepare young people for leadership, employers should therefore deliberately encourage and value this kind of engagement.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Systematic Preparation by Companies\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Beyond such encouragement, companies can also prepare leadership systematically by giving employees genuine opportunities for personal development.<\/span><\/p>

This includes structured, practice-oriented leadership training in the form of simulations, role-plays, or crisis exercises. An experienced mentor at the learner's side also contributes to building leadership skills.<\/span><\/p>

In addition, targeted challenges should be created for emerging leaders. These need to involve real risk while providing a safety net at the same time. This allows people to learn to take responsibility early on.<\/span><\/p>

How well leadership qualities are already developing should also be discussed in regular feedback sessions, to create room for growth.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Conclusion<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Leadership is not a position in a company that one takes on simply to advance one's career; rather, it is an attitude that goes hand in hand with consistent personal development.<\/span><\/p>

For this to be possible, young talent needs support from their employer. In return, companies gain leaders who have character, clarity, and inner stability.<\/span><\/p>

The most effective way to grow into a true leader is with a good coach.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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