More handpicked essays just for you.
Compare and contrast leadership styles
Comparing leadership styles
Comparison and contrast of leadership styles
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Leadership Analysis of George S. Patton, Jr.
Chase W. Seegmiller
Western Kentucky University
Introduction
As said by Old Blood and Guts himself,
Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain the immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush to oppression and wickedness or our enemies, and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Amen. (Official GSP).
This prayer was said by Patton to his his men before they left for the battle field. It accurately describes Pattons’ drive to lead his men to victory, yet also shows that love he felt for all his men. This shows that softer side of General George S. Patton, Jr., which is one that is not often seen nor heard of underneath his rough, audacious, profane, and tough exterior. Words such as these show why General George S. Patton is arguably the most inspiring and effective leader in the history of the United States Army. By reviewing his biography, his military accomplishments, and his speeches, we can finally define what really made him such a great leader, and what can we take away from him to learn to become more effective leaders ourselves.
Biography
In San Gabriel, California on November 11th, 1885 General George Smith Patton, Jr. was born. Even as a very young boy, Patton knew that it was his duty to be a war hero, as he was the descendant of great men who fought in the Revolutionary, Civil, and Mexican wars (Official GSP). In 1904 at the age of nineteen, he enrolled in the Virginia Military Institute and one year later he left to join Th...
... middle of paper ...
...ed a whole new appreciation, and a new way of looking at how leaders really tick. I have also enjoyed it as well. Some of the quotes from Patton are extremely funny, and you can almost hear him say them as you read them even about seventy years later. I will always do as Patton did, and as Gary A. Ransdell told us to do, and apply the wold “sprezzatura” to my own life. Also I, just like Patton, sometimes have a hard time not saying things that may come off rude. I am going to try to be more conscious of what I say, and learn from Patton’s mistakes. There is so much that we can learn from a great leader like Patton, and we should try to take in as much as we can.
From the words of a great man, “I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs, but for how high he bounces when he hits the bottom.” - General George S. Patton, Jr. (1885-1945)
References
General Patton as born in Virginia in the late 1860s and was raised by both his parents with his sister. He had a good relationship with his family, not many fights or arguments. He was brought up in the South and was taught to be a real gentlemen. This is why he is considered not only one of the United States greatest generals, but also a great person himself. He was in the Olympic games in Stockholm and served in West Point military school. During the first World War he served in the 304th tank brigade and lead his platoon to many quality wins in Europe. In World War II, he was leader of the 504th platoon in Morocco and then moved over to the European front and lead his troops to victory and one of the biggest battles at the Battle of the Bulge.
As leaders and fellow soldiers, it is up to us to make sure our soldiers and friends live out our legacy. It is up to us we train them well enough so they are able to train the next war fighter generation and think back how we accomplished the mission.
Sanderson, Jefferey. "GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON, JR.” Last modified may 22, 1997. Accessed January 4, 2014. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCwQFjAA&url=http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a331356.pdf&ei=tYbHUtv3HcGs2gX2u4HAAQ&usg=AFQjCNFU5EzdWjKlt81w8gh_Bj2UEttaZw&sig2=aAz3jIZg7U6peDzL_i8w9w.
Omar Bradley had to struggle before he became a General, and he had to go through all the ranks. “Bradley’s first Rank he started with is 2nd Lt., after he graduated west point he was automatically promoted. His next rank was 1st Lt., which he achieved 17 months after his graduation from West Point. Then WWI came up and he was promoted to Capt. Because of the shortage of offic...
Military Leadership is always an important factor in wars. Good commanders will accomplish the goals of their side while inferior generals will only hinder performance and fail their leader. However, not all great generals are victorious. Victories depend heavily on the availability of resources. Leadership does not relate to the supplies one has to draw from, but instead the personal traits of the man himself. General Robert E. Lee is a prime example of an excellent general whose brilliance was impeded by the Confederate’s lack of resources. General Ulysses S. Grant’s genius is rebuffed when compared to that of Lee’s.
George Smith Patton Jr. was born on November 11, 1885 in San Gabriel California “George Patton biography”. George Patton had heard countless stories about his ancestors' victories in the American Revolution and in the Civil War “George Patton biography”. George Patton had set his sights on becoming a war hero at a young age. Beatrice and George met for the first time when they were kids on Catalina Island off of the coast of California “George S. Patton Jr”. George Patton was known as "Georgie" throughout his lifetime since he was a kid “Articles/biographies/ military leaders/Patton/ George S.” Georgie spent his childhood listening to military heroes “Articles/biographies/military leaders/Patton/George S.”
The word Patton is not man but of legend. His legacy changed the World War II and warfare forever. Born with a passion and a uniqueness Patton was simply the greatest General of the U.S Army. Patton realized his potential when he was just a child. His thirst grew as he fought in action, his thirst so great he could only pacify it. Patton is legend spoken by many and his instinct of war could only be described as godlike. Patton is not a man but a legend who will live on for generations.
“On leadership” was written by John W. Gardner (The Free Press, New York, 1990). He used seventeen chapters to explain and describe essential components for the leadership should be in a successful organization. This book not only has significant influence now, but also for the future. Below are my understanding about this book, which was divided into two parts. For the first part, I will pick up some perspectives which influence me most from this book. For the second part, which is my comments and critique about this book.
...embered as one of the greatest military leaders of all time, his defeat serves as a reminder, that all leaders must adhere to the principles of Mission Command.
For a united nation to prosper, its people must overcome obstacles and take on numerous responsibilities. Throughout our lives, there are problems occurring continually in our world related to war and combat. During these times of hardship, we must remind ourselves to persevere and continue to defend the country. In addressing the Sylvanus Thayer Award on May 12, 1962, at the city of West Point, New York, General Douglas MacArthur urged Americans to remember the major responsibilities we have as Americans in his speech Duty, Honor, Country. With a position of authority, MacArthur powerfully stated that America will only survive through winning wars and fulfilling our duties. His main priority was to defend the nation, respect the nation, and prosper in that vast nation, otherwise remarked as three key terms: duty, honor, and country. Through the use of rhetorical devices, MacArthur expresses the theme that Americans should defend the country sturdily and carry on its numerous objectives by means of his moral code: “Duty, Honor, Country”.
The best Army leaders will effortlessly find some way to get others to do exactly what they need them to do. They do this by giving soldiers a
Respect to me is admiring someone for their abilities, qualities, or achievements. I think respect is always earned an can never be given. As soldiers soldiers we should always respect our peers because they have made the same sacrifice as us. But as soldiers we should have a higher level of respect for our NCOs because they have done their time an have earned it. Being respectful is not hard it is simple, just treat others the way we would like to be treated ourselves.
Standing in a crowd of hundreds, anxious about what is to come—combat; waiting for a man whose reputation greatly precedes him…the man who will lead you into battle—into a nightmare. As he took the microphone and declared, “you are here because you are real men and all real men like to fight.” These words are those of General George Patton…and he has your attention. Inspirational and blunt are just a couple of the many terms used to describe General Patton. General Patton was also a visionary in employment of combat forces; in fact, he was an expert on the subject. The manner in which he led his troops was in itself visionary. Despite his military prowess and formidable leadership, General Patton was humble in leadership and intellect. These three attributes will demonstrate that he was above all, a visionary and ethical leader.
A soldier’s “greatest fear is not death but failure, and the shame that accompanies failure. More than anything else, warriors fear letting themselves down and letting their leaders and friends down at a moment when it matters most. They fear most not losing their lives, but their honor” (Nash, 2007, p. 25).
That verse alone should be the most inspiring part that all Noncommissioned Officers should love to hear, because it’s true in many ways. The question to ask is, are we driving it in the right direction? There has never been a time in our history when Soldiers needed more competent and strong leaders than today. The social complications that our young Soldiers face are beyond what any generation before them has had to endure and learn and navigate. The military is looking for leaders who can be role models for these Soldiers.