Mission Mastery

This book reveals the story of how the first large learning organization was formed. Emerging around 1870, it involved an organizational transformation that followed a disaster some 60 years earlier. The great success of this process was the introduction of a totally new approach to leadership – a competitive edge that would go undetected for another 100 years. The original development involved the Prussian/German Army under a great leader, Helmut von Moltke. NATO countries finally discovered this “secret weapon,” which they have since implemented in their mission command centers, in the 1980s. The book distils five underlying features or pillars of the transformed organization, and describes how they can be applied in civilian organizations to attain a state of Mission Mastery. Never before published, these ideas are supplemented by numerous references and practical examples to illustrate the persuasive power of the case made – namely that most civilian organizations are weak in terms of the five key ingredients needed for Mission Mastery.
“This book is a must-read for all charged with developing tomorrow’s leaders.” Sir Michael Perry, GBE – previously Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Unilever, Chairman of Centrica, Chairman of the Senior Salaries Review Body, Independent Director at Singapore Technologies Telemedia Pte. Ltd and Chairman of the Faculty Board at the Said Business School, Oxford University. 

Professor Stephen J. Perkins, DPhil (Oxon) Dean Guildhall Faculty of Business & Law, London Metropolitan University, UK

Author Biography

Brian Dive is a very experienced international manager, consultant, speaker and writer. Over a period of 47 years he has held a number of senior roles in Unilever, conducted assignments in about 70 countries, and worked, via his company DMA Consultancy, for over 65 clients. For eleven years he was chair of the New York Conference Board s Council on International Organization and Management, working with 30 of the world s leading multinationals. In 2010 he was Cambridge Who s Who Professional of the Year in Organization and Leadership Development. He graduated in Psychology and Business Administration from Victoria University of Wellington and is an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration, London Metropolitan University Guildhall Faculty of Business and Law where he is also is a visiting professor. He has written two books The Healthy Organization (2002) and The Accountable Leader (2008).