Challenges Defense Advisers Experience in Communicating Change:
[Thesis]
Holland, Kavanzo J.
A Qualitative Exploratory Case Study
Ballaro, Julie
University of Phoenix
2019
175
D.M.
University of Phoenix
2019
Ministerial advisers encounter challenges in communicating change to support sustainability in economic growth and capacity building in security missions between Afghan and United States leaders. The problem rooted in the differences among the Afghan leaders and the ministerial advisers would stabilize the Afghan economy and building capacity within security missions. The qualitative exploratory case study examined how communication challenges impede the progress of successfully advising Afghan senior leaders in support of sustaining economic growth and capacity building within security missions. Ten Ministry of Defense (MoDA) advisers were interviewed. During the analysis, two main groups, six themes, and 13 sub-themes emerged. Results corroborated the official government reporting, which found a misalignment with Afghan counterparts and in communicating and sharing information often limited the MoDA program's ability to assess advisory effectiveness. The results discovered that leaders should develop long-lasting and trusting relationships to be able to effectively communicate change. Results exposed that the training programs for these leaders who will communicate change should include more role-playing exercises and on the ground training, prior to placement into the adviser role. Peacekeeping advising efforts in Afghanistan will be successful by allowing time to overcome change-related learning curves. The recommendation for future training must include an evaluation of training programs, and the effectiveness in preparing the adviser with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their assigned duties.