Impact of Leaders on Organizational Culture: A 75th Ranger Regiment Case Study

摘要

Organizational founders and initial leaders have lasting impact on organizationalculture through the transformation of their initial beliefs and values into basic underlying assumptions. Their initial beliefs and values when proven successful over a period of time become embedded in the organizational culture and are taught to new members as the correct way to think and believe in certain situations. In the 75th Ranger Regiment, the initial beliefs and values of MG Kenneth C. Leuer and GEN Wayne A. Downing have become embedded and have been sustained for 23 years. Throughout the organization's history since 1974, neither internal nor external changes in missions, tasks and organization have measurably altered the culture. The sustainment of the culture is largely attributable to leader succession decisions which were influenced by MG Leuer and later GEN Downing. The successive leaders renewed the existing values and basic assumptions. The Army, in its current period of transition, can learn from the successful establishment and sustainment of the Ranger Regiments culture.