What gives leadership cohesion is its purpose. In short, leadership is a collection of concepts, competencies, and principles which has evolved over time describing what a leader must be, know and do to accomplish a task or mission. The successful leader is one who selects the right principles for the right mission at the right time to accomplish the objectives and take care of the troops. If soldiers are committed to a cause and perceive commitment and competence in their leaders, if soldiers see evidence that their leaders really care for their welfare, they will accomplish their missions if humanly possible and take care of one another and their leaders in the process. Another challenge involves the question of whether leadership, however defined, can be taught.
Leadership has to do with how people are.
Most of the capabilities that enable an outstanding leader to lead are learned. There is a good deal of learning theory and historical data which suggests that any subject or skill is best taught by experiential learning rather than by classroom instruction alone. The Army has long recognized the value of affective as well as cognitive learning. In the long run, such training saves lives. Most importantly, for chaplains who are learning to lead as well as to advise commanders and counsel soldiers, the practical links between Army values, leadership principles and spiritual fitness must not be broken.