Detachment and Disastrous Decisions in Military Leadership

This chapter examines the critical issue of detachment in military leadership, highlighting how denial of potential threats can lead to catastrophic failures. It uses the historical example of Elphinstone's leadership during the First Anglo-Afghan War to illustrate the dangers of indecisiveness and the disconnect between command and the realities faced by troops. The narrative underscores the psychological aspects of military incompetence and the impact of misguided confidence on decision-making in high-stakes environments.