Prof. Dr. Sönke Neizel: Was wir vom Militär über Arbeitskultur lernen können? - YouTube
The German armed forces are receiving more money. And yet they are making no progress. Military historian Sönke Neitzel explains why this isn't a resource problem, but a structural one. Over 50 percent overhead, an administrative culture that penalizes initiative, and a political leadership that has ambition but no implementation plan.
Sönke Neitzel is Professor of Military History and the Cultural History of Violence at the University of Potsdam and holds the only Master's degree in War and Conflict Studies in Germany. He previously taught at the London School of Economics and the University of Glasgow. His latest book is "The German Armed Forces: From Rearmament to the Turning Point" (C.H. Beck, 2025).
Sönke Neitzel is Professor of Military History and the Cultural History of Violence at the University of Potsdam and holds the only Master's degree in War and Conflict Studies in Germany. Topics in this episode:
German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) grades: Administration, infrastructure, combat readiness
Why money alone isn't structural reform
Clausewitz: Purpose, goal, means, and what that means for organizations
Mission command as a leadership principle and why it's being lost
The difference between strategy, operations, and tactics
How to lead with uncertainty: "Living in the moment"
What military history and business management have in common
This episode is for anyone who leads, reforms, or wants to understand large organizations. And for anyone who wants to know what Clausewitz still has to say today.
GOOD WORK is the podcast for work culture and leadership in the brandeins podcast network.
Host: Jule Jankowski
Guest: Prof. Dr. Sönke Neitzel, University of Potsdam
#GermanArmedForces #MilitaryHistory #Leadership #Clausewitz #MissionCommand #LeadershipCulture #OrganizationalDevelopment #GOODWORK