Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving to their expectations about the future of war.
In this episode, retired Major General Doug Crissman reflects on more than three decades of Army service and the leadership lessons that endured from West Point to combat, senior command, service alongside the British Army, and life after the uniform. In this conversation with host Cadet Orion van Buskirk, General Crissman argues that great leadership rests less on rank or authority than on authentic connection, competence, trust, and a willingness to keep learning. He discusses why mission command remains an aspirational goal that leaders must continually rebuild, why leader development should happen every day rather than during designated events, and how setbacks often provide more valuable lessons than successes. He also offers a candid look at retirement and purpose, describing his continuing work mentoring military and civilian leaders—and the grounding experience of simply being “Doug” while selling outdoor gear in his post-Army years. General Crissman’s message for leaders at every stage is straightforward: focus on what matters, invest in people, learn continuously, and find the work and relationships that fill your tank.
