Military Leadership as a Managerial Model in the VUCA Era

Abstract

The VUCA era (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) requires leadership models that are not only resilient but also adaptive and visionary. This article is an article review that aims to examine the relevance of military leadership as a managerial model in addressing contemporary business challenges. The study employed a literature review method, analyzing scholarly works published in Scopus- and Sinta-indexed journals between 2015 and 2025. Findings indicate that military leadership, grounded in LDRSHIP values (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honour, Integrity, Personal Courage), strengthens organizational discipline, decisiveness, mission orientation, and resilience. Furthermore, the concept of Mission Command has proven relevant in enhancing intrinsic motivation and subordinate empowerment, while recent studies highlight the positive contributions of military-background leaders in fostering organizational innovation and strengthening corporate governance. However, military leadership also presents limitations, particularly its rigid hierarchy and top-down communication style, which may not align with modern organizational needs. Therefore, this article concludes that military leadership should be adapted into a hybrid model by integrating leadership agility and digital literacy to meet the demands of organizations in the VUCA era.