Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), delivered an impactful lecture on “Military Leadership in the 21st Century” at the College of Defence Management (CDM). His address was directed towards participants of the 21st Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC-21), highlighting the evolving nature of military leadership in today’s world.
In his speech, Lt Gen Sharma elaborated on the essential foundations of contemporary military leadership, which he identified as character, professional competence, and cognitive agility. He stressed that while the timeless fundamentals of leadership are critical, modern military leaders must also be prepared to navigate rapidly changing operational landscapes influenced by technological advancements, complexity, and uncertainty.
The Army Commander pointed out that qualities such as character, courage, and empathy should be harmonized with modern leadership attributes, including anticipatory leadership and technological proficiency. He emphasized the importance of this integration for developing innovative, adaptive, and agile warfighting capabilities, thereby maintaining the trust that the nation places in its military leaders.
Additionally, Lt Gen Sharma took the opportunity to engage with officers from various friendly nations who were participating in the course. This interaction underscored the significance of professional military education and the value of international cooperation. He also acknowledged the exceptional contributions of select faculty and personnel at CDM, praising their role in the institute’s growth and quest for excellence.
This engagement underscored ARTRAC’s commitment to molding future-ready military leaders who can effectively operate in complex, multi-domain environments, reinforcing the need for adaptability and forward-thinking in military strategy and operations.
