Operational Leadership: Operational Art and General H. H. 'Hap' Arnold.

Abstract : An operational artist is a leader who is able to skillfully use the tools of operational art to successfully plan and execute a major Operation or campaign. There is a difference between an operational practitioner (one who knows the fundamentals of operational art) and an operational artist (one who uses the tools of operational art to create a military masterpiece) . Those who are considered operational artists possess certain character traits that enable them to become truly great leaders. Those characteristics are courage, energy, and foresight. Courage, both physical and moral, means the leader knows what is right (integrity) and pursues the right course despite personal danger or ridicule. Energy, both physical and mental, provides the leader the strength to persevere through the stressful and physically demanding time of conflict with a positive, 'can-do' attitude that the subordinates will emulate. Foresight enables the leader to not only look to the future, but also to look beyond the operational niche to see the grand plan. Foresight is key to planning and making midcourse corrections once the conflict has begun. Through the use of 'tools' associated with operational design and methods of combat employment, the operational artist plans and executes military operations. In each phase of operational design, from laying out guidance, through determining desired end state, objectives and enemy critical factors, to completion of the operational scheme, the artist's personal characteristics enable the leader to plan for and then execute large-scale operations. General Arnold was one of history's great operational artists, displaying throughout his career the characteristics that allowed him to make major contributions to Allied success in World War II as well as helping to found today's United States Air Force.