Strategy vs. Logistics: Logistics is Higher Order Thinking

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Ygnacio Flores, Don Mason and Tracy Rickman
April 28, 2025

 Leadership studies often focus on strategy as a principal part of meeting goals and objectives. If leaders viewed their respective ecosystems through rose-tinted lenses, there would be few failed attempts to implement strategy. Failed strategy implementation is studied from the perspective of leadership and organizational theories, exploring the relationships between strategic efforts, unattained goals and unfulfilled objectives. This approach to understanding strategy in leadership is missing a significant factor often not considered foundational to strategic leadership. That missing factor is logistics.

Logistics serves as a critical underpinning in the execution of complex operations across various domains, including military maneuvers, strategic law enforcement operations and disaster management during catastrophic wildfires that decimated southern California communities.

Reframing the strategy phenomenon from a practical perspective can benefit from appreciating the lessons provided in military studies. Many leadership theories are based on research into some of the best leaders in the world, i.e. military leaders. When considering strategy from a leadership perspective, the hierarchy of thinking must account for the realpolitik of leading in a real-world environment. Reframing with a sense of reality in a specific operational ecosystem recognizes factors affecting strategy after developing a strategic plan. A seasoned military officer knows that executive-level (flag officer) planning and operations focus on logistics over strategy.

The history of logistics parallels the history of great nations and great leaders. In Western history, military logistics traces its roots to the ancient Greeks and Romans. In Chinese history, the seminal treatise The Art of War by Sun Tzu emphasized the importance of a resilient supply chain to ensure victory in battle. Logistics was mentioned in history as far back as the campaigns of Alexander the Great, which employed elephants to transport supplies to sustain an army on the march. In American history, General Sherman used his knowledge of logistics gained fighting in the West to develop a strong logistical supply line while fighting during the Civil War in the South. Sherman’s understanding and management of his supply lines often equipped his forces better than the Confederate forces fighting in their home territory.

The best ideas in an organization are useless without a sound and sustained logistical operation to support the strategic plan. Too often, leaders focus on strategic maneuvers, believing that logistical needs are automatically available to support the strategy. General John J. Pershing is credited with saying, “Infantry wins battles; logistics wins wars.” This quote has much power in exercising leadership, though military, political and business leaders continue to fail, oftentimes leading organizations into failure.

A wise leader will logistically support the proposed strategic objectives before establishing goals. Every strategic plan requires sustained logistical support to ensure success. Attacking the supply lines is an age-old tactic to remove logistical support from armies on the field. However, the combination of strategy and logistics requires efficient planning. Several examples from history support this viewpoint. During the Second Punic War, Roman General Fabius attacked Hannibal’s supply lines to avoid a pitched battle. Fabius did not consider that he allowed Hannibal to regroup and establish logistical support from the local environment. Most notable was the seizure of a central Roman supply depot at Cannae in the spring of 216 BC.

Again, during the American Revolution, a factor that aided American forces was the vulnerable supply lines British troops had back to Great Britain. Without logistical support, British forces could not sustain a winning strategy. Despite the genius of a combatant general, every victory rested on the logistical planning and supply management of its supply officers. Without it, a victory is undoubtedly unattainable.

Logistics is essential outside military use. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the importance of logistics across all sectors of society. Supply shortages negatively impacted daily lives worldwide, from individuals to nation-states’ needs. What the market strategies missed were the vulnerabilities of on-demand supply chains. COVID-19 was followed by specific shortages caused by epidemics and breakouts of biological infections like swine flu and salmonella. These short-term interruptions to global supply chains continue to prove the importance of having a robust and resilient logistical support function. Being prepared to anticipate needs could provide better logistical support while meeting critical strategic mission goals. Some organizations have moved to establishing parochial supply lines in their vertically integrated organizations.

It is imperative for contemporary administrators to know how logistics influences their organization’s visions, goals and operations. Building resilience in supply chains can no longer rely on the expectation that another organization thinks in your strategy’s best interest. Many businesses have moved to purchasing their vendors as a means of controlling the supply chain or moving to diversify suppliers. For many public administrators, supplier diversity is a procurement strategy to pursue. Without considering the impact of logistics, leaders will fail in the overarching process tied to planning. Adding logistics to the equation can aid immeasurably in the success of leadership.

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Authors: Dr. Ygnacio “Nash” Flores and Don Mason are faculty at Rio Hondo College. Dr. Tracy Rickman is faculty at Tarleton State University.

 

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