Structured flexibility in VUCA environments: conceptualizing intention-based leadership through military mission command principles

Purpose This conceptual article examines how military principles of mission command can be translated to civilian leadership contexts, and how these principles conceptualize intention-based leadership and structured flexibility as a response to VUCA conditions. Design/methodology/approach Through comparative analysis of six Western military doctrines and a narrative review of contemporary leadership theory, the study develops intention-based leadership as a civilian framework grounded in military mission command principles. Findings The analysis reveals three conceptual contributions. First, intention-based leadership specifies intent as the active coordination mechanism, not trust alone, but articulated purpose, boundaries, priorities, decision rights, and success criteria. Second, normal accountability is preserved through intent alignment as the evaluative basis, shifting assessment from plan compliance to judgment quality. Third, a dual architecture of centralized strategic intent with decentralized tactical execution operationalizes structured flexibility as a hybrid model bridging heroic and post-heroic paradigms. Originality/value The article addresses what Schweiger et al. (2020) identify as a persistent gap; a processual approach to leadership that maintains necessary accountability structures. By specifying the coordination mechanism, accountability basis, and architectural logic of structured flexibility, the framework provides conceptual clarity for implementing post-heroic leadership within formal organizations. A set of propositions are developed for further empirical investigation.