About This Offering

Participants will analyze the actions of pivotal military, political, and business leaders to define effective leadership styles and master strategic decision-making frameworks.

Registration

Browse our catalog

Check out all of our short course and bootcamp offerings! see all offerings

250 version

Dr. Chris Ketcherside

Dr. Ketcherside is an Assistant Teaching Professor of American History at Missouri S&T, bringing a unique blend of academic expertise and military leadership to the classroom. A retired U.S. Marine Corps Major, he earned his Ph.D. in American History from Saint Louis University in 2023, following an M.A. in Military History and a B.S. in Political Science. Before joining MS&T, he served as an adjunct professor of history at St. Louis Community College, Lindenwood University, and Maryville University.  Dr. Ketcherside's teaching philosophy is centered on inspiring a passion for the past and helping students understand the enduring importance of historical study.
  • Registration: Open until October 13, 2026
  • Course Date: October 20, 2026
  • PDH: 8
  • Price: $799
  • Location: 2127 Innerbelt Business Center Drive, St. Louis, MO 63114
    • Directions 
    • Also delivered live online via Zoom

This intensive one-day course provides a comprehensive overview of leadership, combining theoretical foundations with an analysis of historical military and political case studies, such as Eisenhower and Kennedy. The curriculum explores the evolution of leadership styles and examines the factors behind both successful leadership and catastrophic failures.

The program transitions from historical analysis to practical application, equipping participants with advanced planning tools and decision models for modern corporate strategies. Attendees will develop a robust framework for strategic decision-making, preparing them to navigate complex challenges and crises in contemporary business environments.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Define Leadership: Identify various leadership styles and their historical evolution.
  • Analyze Case Studies: Evaluate leadership performance in high-stakes military, political, and business scenarios.
  • Master Decision-Making: Apply planning processes and analytical tools to contemporary challenges.

Core Content

  • Theoretical Foundations: Definitions, characteristics, and styles of leadership.
  • Military Case Studies: Strategic command and tactical decision-making.
  • Political Case Studies: Crisis management, diplomacy, and policy failures.
  • Business Applications: Adaptation of historical lessons to corporate environments.
  • Methodology: Introduction to advanced planning tools and multi-option decision models.

Course Schedule

Total Duration: 8 Hours (1 Day)

  • Defining Leadership 
    • Core Focus: Establishing a foundational understanding of leadership and its core characteristics.
    • Topics: Analyzing how leadership definitions have evolved over time and a group discussion on diverse leadership types and styles.
  • Lessons from Military History 
    • Core Focus: Examining critical leadership interventions and their impact on historical outcomes.
    • Case Studies:
      • Eisenhower at D-Day
      • Lee at Gettysburg
      • Belgian Infantry in Rwanda
      • Henry V in Normandy
  • Lessons from Political History 
    • Core Focus: Analyzing political decision-making, crisis management, and the consequences of leadership failure.
    • Case Studies:
      • Chamberlain in Munich (1938)
      • Hoover and the Great Depression
      • The Cuban Missile Crisis (Kennedy)
      • Imperial Japan in WWII
      • A Peculiar Institution: Decades of leadership failure
  • Leadership and the Planning Process 
    • Core Focus: Translating historical theory into actionable strategic methods.
    • Topics: Developing robust decision-making frameworks and planning processes that ensure multiple courses of action for all stakeholders.