Lieutenant General Christopher Donahue- Be Unreasonable

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Mar 23, 2024

LTG Donahue discusses leadership lessons from Afghanistan, importance of physical fitness, innovation in the Army, successful communication tips, and career advice for military leaders. He highlights the balance between culture and process, morning rituals, war strategy studies, and embracing change in a dynamic environment.

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INSIGHT

Culture and Process

Great organizations need both strong culture and efficient processes.
Culture is what your organization does daily, while processes are how you develop and maintain that culture.

ANECDOTE

Culture in Action: Afghanistan Evacuation

The 82nd Airborne Division's culture of teamwork, relentlessness, and unreasonableness was crucial during the Afghanistan evacuation.
This culture, combined with established processes, allowed them to integrate quickly with other forces and adapt to unexpected challenges.

ANECDOTE

Culture in Action: Poland Deployment

Donahue witnessed the 82nd's culture and processes in action again during their deployment to Poland.
The division successfully integrated new capabilities and adapted to changing circumstances due to their culture of innovation and teamwork.

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Lieutenant General Christopher Donahue returns to the show to continue his previous conversation with Joe on culture and leadership. In this episode, they discuss:

What LTG Donahue has learned since his last appearance on the podcast
How the culture of the 82nd Airborne Division held up during the evacuation of Afghanistan
Four reasons leaders need to focus on physical fitness
The importance of innovation in today's Army
What LTG Donahue is reading right now
Tips for successful communication

Lieutenant General Christopher Donahue currently serves as the 39th Commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, and Ft. Liberty, NC. Prior to assuming command of the corps, LTG Donahue served as the Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.

LTG Donahue’s other assignments include Commander, NATO Special Operations Component and US Joint Special Operations in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Deputy Director for Special Operations and Counter-Terrorism, J-3, for the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C., Commandant, US Army Infantry School and Director of the Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Team, and Deputy Commanding General (Maneuver) of the 4th Infantry Division.

LTG Donahue has led Soldiers at all levels in Airborne, Ranger, Light and Mechanized units, to include service with 3 divisions, the 75th Ranger Regiment and USASOC. He has deployed 20 times in support of operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, to include; Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Atlantic Resolve, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce, and in support of the Sudan crisis.

His formative and key, Army and special operations, assignments include Director of Operations, Joint Special Operations Command, and 16 years in various USASOC organizations, first as a platoon leader, then as a troop commander, squadron commander, and finally as a brigade commander.

LTG Donahue is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, and was commissioned in 1992. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Naval War College, and the US Army War College Fellowship at Harvard University.

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