Leadership Analysis Of Otto Skorzeny The Most Dangerous Man In Europe?

Leadership Analysis: Otto Skorzeny

“The Most Dangerous Man in Europe” Otto Skorzeny was an Austrian born SS-Obersturmbannführer in the German Waffen-SS during World War II. Skorzeny was trusted with leading some of Nazi Germany’s most daring and covert operations during World War II. His tough upbringing along with early experiences with leadership helped mold him into the leader he became later on in his life. Before Skorzeny was one of Hitler’s most trusted leaders, he was a student. Before the war, Skorzeny attended University in Vienna studying to become an engineer like his father and brother. In 1931, Skorzeny graduated with a degree in engineering and quickly found a job. Skorzeny’s background in engineering would prove to be a turning

Operation Oak was the rescue of the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. A few weeks after the Allied invasion of Sicily Mussolini was arrested, replaced and moved around Italy by his captors. Skorzeny, using his own reconnaissance found that Mussolini was being held at Campo Imperatore Hotel, high in the Apennine Mountains. The operation was split into two parts, an attack from the ground and an infiltration from the air. Skorzeny and nine other SS Waffen soldiers flew a high risk glider mission and landed on the side of the mountain. After they stormed and overwhelmed Mussolini’s guards without firing a single shot. It was this operation that granted Skorzeny the title of “The most Dangerous Man in Europe” as German propaganda raved about the successful operation for months. During Operation Oak Skorzeny displayed a very Adaptive Leadership style. While he was working in joint with other officers, he was able to gather the intelligence himself and then go on to formulate a plan that many others would have deemed impossible or insane. His ability to think outside the normal parameters for a mission allowed for him and his men to over take and successfully rescue Mussolini without firing a single shot. This is also displayed Transformation Leadership in the sense that Skorzeny created a vision, or in this case a plan of attack and carried it out with his

Operations like Operation Grif, were Skorzeny was ordered to form a unit of men dressed in American and British uniforms and ride in stolen American jeeps and attack Allied troops that were planning to destroy a vital system of bridges needed for a German Supply Line. Skorzeny only had 4-6 weeks to build his team and train them and gather the needed equipment to pull off such an operation. In the end Operation Greif never happened due to the mass amount of confusion that occurred in the process of attaining the proper equipment and higher ups, including Hitler, changing the plan constantly on Skorzeny. However, even in the midst of chaos and failure, true leaders shine. Skorzeny proved once again that he could adapt well to adverse situations, and do the best even if what he had was minimal to what was needed. He also showed that he could not only lead, but also follow. He tooks orders from Hitler, made a plan and did the best with what he was