Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, delivered a thought-provoking address on “Shaping Tomorrow’s Strategic Leaders for Adaptive Leadership in a Transformative Environment” during the Strategic Leadership Seminar organized by the Army Management Studies Board (AMSB) at the Army War College, Mhow.
Key Insights on Strategic Leadership
During his talk, Lt Gen Sengupta emphasized that strategic leadership is not confined to age or seniority, as even tactical-level actions can have significant strategic implications. He underscored that future threats are becoming increasingly complex, making strategy formulation more challenging and requiring dynamic, well-informed decision-making.
Highlighting the principles of strategic planning, the Army Commander stated that good strategy cannot be developed in isolation. Instead, military leaders must consider the instruments of national power—diplomatic, informational, military, and economic (DIME)—while balancing Ends, Ways, Means, and Risks to ensure effective decision-making.
Preparing Leaders for a Transformative Future
The session focused on the need for adaptive leadership in an evolving security landscape, where leaders must integrate strategic foresight, operational flexibility, and multi-domain awareness. Lt Gen Sengupta reinforced the importance of holistic leadership development, preparing officers to navigate uncertainty and make impactful strategic decisions in the modern battlefield.
The Strategic Leadership Seminar at Army War College continues to serve as a critical forum for shaping future military leaders, fostering intellectual rigor and strategic thinking in the Indian Armed Forces.
