The aim of the study was to obtain a deeper understanding of the force commander role in modern multinational and multifunctional missions. Several sources of data were collected: (1) a focus group interview with five former Swedish force commanders having served in Afghanistan, (2) nine individual in-depth interviews with the same sample of commanders, (3) one in-depth interview with a Swedish Civilian Representant (an ambassador) serving in Afghanistan, (4) facts on selection ciriteria and education/training of force commanders, and (5) formal documents where the role of the commander is dealt with. The results were related to a theoretical leadership model which implies that a number of individual and contextual characteristic interact and shape a commander’s appraisal or sensemaking of a given situation. This meaning, applied to what is taking place, in turn generates a number of leadership behaviours which, to a greater or lesser degree, affect the outcome. Conclusions and research suggestion for the future focus on the following:
- civilian leadership of the military operation
- task complexity
- culture
- end state
- self-management.