Page 38 - MDSL Final

MARITIME DOCTRINE OF SRI LANKA
Management

Management is no substitute for leadership but is a vital element of
the moral component. It is about making the best use of resources.
It is an attribute of command that cannot be overlooked because it
is fundamental to effectiveness and, of course, relates to principles
of war, economy of effort and sustainability. Every commander must
know how hard to drive his force; he must not be spurred beyond the
limits at which people lose their powers of recovery. This is achieved
through a combination of effective management of resources (people
and equipment) and good leadership. Management is regarded as an
element of the moral component, rather than the physical, because
without good management of resources and the provision of sufficient
administrative support, the maintenance of morale and the motivation
of the force would be rendered considerably more difficult.

The measure of good management is the achievement of the right
balance, neither overabundance nor a shortage of resources, either
of which would undermine the concentration of effort on the main
objective.

Professionalism

Continued success in future operations depends on high professional
standards, sustained by a desire for continued improvement and
innovation to ensure a fighting edge over potential adversaries. To that
end, the SLN must be structured to fight and not structured for the
convenience of administration in peace.

SLN Maritime Strategy 2025 states ‘Professionalism is built on a
foundation of professional men with the highest standards and values,
who are trained and educated to maintain the fighting edge; able to
operate at and from the sea with a strong team ethos, cohesion and
identity. They should be unique in their ability to adapt to a wide
range of operational roles at sea, on land and in the air. SLN needs to
be necessarily human centric, supported by strong leadership at every
level, who will deliver the winning advantages.’

20 To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea