Mechanisms of the Influence of the Motivational Sphere of Junior Commanders on the Orientation of Interpersonal Relationships

The article deals with the relationships between junior commanders and cadets of educational institutions of Russian State Fire Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in the process of training and service activities. The present study analyzes the influence of the motivational sphere of commanders on the orientation of interpersonal relationships when interacting with subordinate cadets. An important problem was socio-psychological selection of candidates for sergeant's positions in schools of an extreme profile. Findings of the study are of direct practical relevance for the algorithmization of selection of junior commanders with regard to their relationships with others. The paper covers a part of the study where the authors consider the following features of the motivation of junior commanders: (a) prominence of achievement motivation, (b) tendency to manipulate other people, and (c) prevailing orientation in teaching and service activities. The authors also analyze the real and the ideal structure of the interpersonal orientation of sergeants from the point of view of junior commanders and their subordinates. The results of the study showed that business orientation, expressed in the desire to control the group in training and service activities and to achieve its best efficiency, was unformed in the majority of junior commanders. Junior officers were not always able to assess their ability to interact with the team independently. The level of suspiciousness plays an important role in interpersonal orientation of junior commanders. The results of the study are of direct practical relevance for the development of (a) the program for pre-selection of junior commanders even at the first year of training and (b) the program for the improvement of relationships between junior commanders, command, and subordinated cadets.