PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF LEADERSHIP IN MILITARY AND CIVILIAN ORGANIZATIONS: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ADAPTATION MODELS

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of the psychological mechanisms of leadership in military and civilian organizations with a focus on identifying and interpreting the dominant cognitive, emotional-regulatory, motivational, and value-meaning components that determine the specifics of managerial behavior and the level of effectiveness of leadership in different organizational environments. Particular attention is paid to how these psychological components function in the context of different power structures, normative expectations, and levels of responsibility inherent in military and civilian organizations, as well as how they mediate decision-making processes, interaction with subordinates, and ensuring organizational stability. The relevance of the study is due to the needs of the post-war reintegration of Ukrainian society and the need to form an adaptive management corps capable of ensuring the stability of organizations in conditions of high uncertainty and social turbulence. An empirical study was conducted on a sample of 180 respondents (90 military and 90 civilian leaders) using validated psychodiagnostic instruments (MLQ-12, CD-RISC-10, IRI, CISS), which made it possible to establish statistically significant intergroup differences in the level of stress tolerance, emotional self-regulation, empathy, and leadership styles. The results of t-tests, correlation analysis, and regression modeling showed that military leaders are characterized by higher stress tolerance and disciplinary orientation, while civilians are characterized by more pronounced empathy, communicative flexibility, and a transformational management style. It was found that the combination of these characteristics forms a “hybrid style” of leadership, which is positively correlated with management effectiveness and team cohesion. Based on the results obtained, a conceptual model of hybrid leadership relevant to the needs of post-war reconstruction and the development of organizational resilience in Ukraine is proposed.