Leading From Higher Headquarters

This study explores the relationship between self-efficacy, task acceptance, and goal setting among senior leaders operating in higher headquarters, particularly within the context of hybrid warfare. The aim is to describe the factors that influence the decision-making (DM) performance of police and military leaders involved in collaborative response efforts during wartime. Path analysis was utilized to investigate an original dataset comprising 102 participants from Norway's police and military (M = 44.4 years). It involved a realistic simulation exercise designed to replicate the challenges associated with hybrid warfare. The study was grounded in Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory. The results indicated that self-efficacy demonstrated a positive and significant indirect effect on DM performance through goal setting. Furthermore, high DM performance in peacetime and high goal setting were both positively associated with DM performance in wartime. This study enhances the understanding of the interplay between self-efficacy, task acceptance, and goal setting in crisis response settings. The findings underscore the significance of cultivating effective DM skills in senior leaders operating in higher headquarters, particularly in defense against hybrid warfare. These insights can be applied to leadership development and policy programs aimed at enhancing national DM frameworks.