The Leadership Challenge Of General George S. Patton During World War II Essay

What defines a good leadership? Is it the qualities that he exhibits, or the rather the polices that history remembers him by? The time period of American Civil War is a great time period to examine these questions, and can be done so by looking at the two main presidents of both the Union and the Confederacy: Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. While the two were both skilled in some areas and unskilled in others in terms of leadership, history remembers Lincoln as the better leader due to his characteristics of intelligence in the political /military field as well as when it comes to personal rights.

Respected by most, yet feared by many, General George S. Patton was one of the most profound leaders the United States Army has ever had. He took part throughout the Mexican Revolution, World War One, and dominating the stage throughout World War Two. His career as an officer took stage shortly after his graduation from The United States Army Military Academy, where he branched as a cavalry officer (Patton, Wikipedia, 2017). Inpatient and young, he eventually went on his first deployment as a lieutenant to take part in the battle of San Miguelito. It was in Mexico that Patton met General John Joseph Pershing, where it is believed that he based a lot of his military leadership styles on the way Pershing led his troops (Pershing, Wikipedia, 2017). Through imitating Pershing, George had some of the most courageous leadership styles known widely throughout, where many praised his bravery, yet several found him foolish.

George Smith Patton was born on November 11, 1885 in San Gabriel, California, the relative of a Confederate Common War veteran. Dyslexic as a kid, he was guided at home until the age of 12 instead of go to government funded school. In any case, Patton needed to be a warrior more than whatever else, and he endeavored to conquer his dyslexia. His endeavors were remunerated in 1903 when he picked up acknowledgement into the Virginia Military Foundation. After a year of study, Patton was admitted to the U.S. Military Foundation at West Point, however insufficiencies in science postponed his graduation until 1909. He was then dispatched a second lieutenant of rangers and in 1912, turned into the first American to take an interest in the Olympic pentathlon in Stockholm. General Patton, driven a campaign over a mainland to free the universe of the Nazi controls that undermined it. Patton went to the U.S. Military and graduated in 1909. After his graduation, General Patton joined the cavalry where he served in World War I. Patton put in stock in diligent work and an intense mental perspective from his men. Patton got his first tastes of activity in quest for Mexico 's unbelievable Poncho Villa in 1916 with the U.S. Mounted force. He was later exchanged to the new defensively covered branch as the first U.S. Officer of Armor. In the middle of World War I, General Patton was struck by automatic weapon shoot and was genuinely injured, barely getting away from a conceivable demise.

When I think of great leaders, General Robert E. Lee comes to mind. General Lee is one of the most beloved generals in history. His leadership approach encompassed honesty, compassion, empathy and respect for others. (Durkovic, 2012) General Lee has served both Armies honorably before and during the Civil War. He is often revered as a charismatic and self-discipline leader who chose to follow his personal values and the ability to use the talents of his people to command thousands of troops under him.

Stoler presents three perspectives on the U.S strategy and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s strategic leadership with the allies during the Second World War . The first argument is Hanson Baldwin’s claims of a “political shortsightedness” of the U.S strategy during the war. Baldwin observed that the United States entry into the war only considered the immediate conquest rather than pursuing the objectives of ultimate peace. Additionally, Baldwin asserted that this lack of a clear political objective has been common in the U.S strategy. These sentiments regard the failure of the U.S under Roosevelt to acknowledge that war would be senseless mass murder if it had no elements of politics extension. The opinion presented by Baldwin suggests that in the actual sense, war is a nation’s enforcement of available strength towards a more stable peace. In joining the allies, the U.S only targeted military objectives for victory rather than the realization of political goals through victory. Baldwin also expressed the thoughts that America’s involvement in the war was single-minded, only forging an alliance with the Allies to overcome the enemy. Hence, the U.S entry into the war was more of idealistic than pragmatic, only driven by the desire for conquest without acknowledging the motivations for the war. This argument served to highlight the absence of an assessment of the military and political policy integration as a weakness in Roosevelt’s strategy. Baldwin also discussed the presence of an

continue to achieve their missions. Patton had a history and background, one of a life of luxury from his childhood to seeing himself ascend a praetorian step to become a grandiose commander. The vision of command and leadership seen from Patton is one where the commander is a role model for the subordinates to see and follow. This resulted from the military history and the background General Patton had.

George S. Patton was a U.S. Army General, who was know for his grit and toughness. The kind of guy who was known for pouring his heart and soul into everything he did.

In my opinion, the leadership at North River Middle School is a primary example of the transactional leadership style. The principal, Mr. Jameson, school has not attained adequate yearly progress and test scores were down. In his defense, Mr. Jameson had professional development workshops, increased classroom walk through, and talked to departments about the problem. Nevertheless, Mr. Jameson failed to listen to his staff concerning the obstacles that teachers were facing in the classroom. Mr. Jameson practically ignored comments and feedback that did not align with his thinking. As a result, he is facing probable termination of employment if, the school does not show improvement.

Transactional leadership is a relationship based on exchanged between the leader and the follower. The leader presents the follower with clearly defined goals and expectations, while focusing on performance only (Pieterse, Knippenberg, Schippers, & Stam, 2010). In countless instances, the perception of transactional leadership is one of debilitation and control. A few examples of transactional leadership would be that of a teacher giving grades to their students based on their progress in class or assignments, or a manager who promises promotions or raises to employees based on performance (Northouse, 2016). Transformational leadership is also considered to enable the followers to change their own personal interests and goals to align closely with those of the organization (Northington, 2015). This type of leadership is a process in which the leader engages the followers, creating a connection in which the followers are constantly encouraged to reach their full potential. Motivation and morality are the key factors in transformational leadership, and both play key roles in the anticipated changes of both the followers and their leader (Northouse, 2016). A prodigious example of transformational leadership would be Nelson Mandela. He was a master at persuading people to follow him, and to feel better about themselves for having done so. His ability to discover

Great leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and Franklin D. Roosevelt all had an eclectic list of characteristics, but they shared three important ones. These leaders were trustworthy, loyal, and honest, and those are some of the characteristics which make a great leader.

Another example of Transactional leadership that can also be seen in my scenario is found in Lewin’s theory (1939). Clark (2009) explains that Lewin’s leadership

Transactional leadership is a style that lays out clear goals and objectives. To encourage staff members to act in accordance with these goals, punishments and rewards are utilised (Business Dictionary, n.d.).

Being deemed an effective leader goes way beyond the basic concept of being considered good or bad by the people one rules. An effective leader portrays characteristics that many look up to and wish to get. In order one must understand the differences and similarities of war and peace. Most influential leaders all have similar qualities that make them successful. It must be understood that the causes and effects that go into each. Now a day, there is no means of peace in certain parts of the world, but instead, there are ongoing conflicts that lead into war. Leaders should have good relations and have the common goal in between countries in order to evolve and prosper. These people in power must possess qualities such as being passionate and patient. Great leaders with these acquired traits are able to distinguish when to go to war and balance peace that can be learned in the readings like the declaration of independence, teachings of Machiavelli, Jimmy Carter on communication and the short film of Rosie the Riveter.

As an example of transactional leadership, a leader that could be an example of this is Hitler. Hitler shows multiple traits of a transactional leader, furthermore, according to Kendra Cherry, a transactional leader likes procedure and rules. Additionally, Kendra states, “ They do not, however, act as catalysts for growth and change within an organization. Instead, they are focused on maintaining this as they are and enforcing current rules and expectations.” Summarizing this, transactional leaders don’t want to change the people, they don’t want to transform them for the better, their goal is to keep the rules and expectations maintained. According to McDougal Littell World History: Patterns of Interaction

Transactional Leadership is a style of leadership that promotes compliance with existing organizational norms through supervision and monitored group performance using traditional rewards and punishments (Boundless, n.d.).