In this episode of Change the Game, I talk with Donald Vandergriff, a retired Marine, Army officer, military historian, and leadership expert. We dive into the principles of Mission Command: why it’s the ideal leadership framework for fostering initiative and adaptability, yet often gets undermined by ego, careerism, and a zero-defect culture.

Drawing from Vandergriff’s extensive military experience and our upcoming co-authored book that merges Mission Command with the Grey Cell Protocols, our conversation explores outcomes-based learning, decision games, the value of learning from failure, and how these concepts apply beyond the military to civilian organizations and society at large. They also touch on historical examples, reform challenges in defense institutions, and practical questions leaders should ask to empower their teams.

Guest Bio:Donald Vandergriff is a retired U.S. Army officer with over 26 years of service, including roles as a tank enlisted sergeant and officer. He’s an expert in leadership development, outcomes-based learning, and Mission Command, having worked with the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), the Asymmetric Warfare Group, and deployments in Afghanistan. Vandergriff has authored several books and articles on military reform and has consulted for Taiwan and Ukraine on implementing Mission Command.

For more information and insights, including deep-dive historical analyses, you can visit Donald Vandergriff on Substack.

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