For leadership development, what is a key practice to help soldiers understand the commander's intent?

• A. Focus on issuing commands without explaining purpose.
• B. Influence soldiers to understand and achieve the commander's intent.
• C. Delegate all decisions without oversight.
• D. Prioritize personal goals over unit goals.

Answer: (B)

Understanding the commander's intent means making clear the purpose of the mission and the desired end state so soldiers know what success looks like and why it matters. The best leadership practice in this area is to influence soldiers to understand and achieve that intent, which means communicating the why and what outcome is expected, and then empowering them to decide how to reach it within those boundaries. This approach enables decentralized execution, keeps actions aligned with the mission, and builds initiative and adaptability when plans change or obstacles arise. Choices that focus only on issuing commands without explaining purpose, delegating all decisions without oversight, or putting personal goals ahead of the unit’s goals undermine clarity, coordination, and trust, and hinder the ability to accomplish the mission.