Patton on Leadership Summary
2 min read ⌚
Strategic Lessons For Corporate Warfare
Strategic Lessons For Corporate WarfareRead “Patton on Leadership” and pick the brain of one of the most controversial World War II leaders – General George S. Patton.
About Alan Axelrod
Alan Axelrod is an author of many books on career development, history, and management, among which is the bestseller, “Elizabeth I CEO.”
“Patton on Leadership Summary”
General George S. Patton was a controversial World War II leader, from whose accomplishments on the battlefield, we can learn many tactics that can be used in the corporate world.
What could a war commander teach you, you ask?
First, Patton believed that a leader should get in the front lines daily, instead of pushing the soldiers from behind.
He also believed that a leader should only focus on managing larger divisions and stop himself from micromanaging.
In today’s world, the most important thing for a leader is to focus on the mission, without compromise, and make his people seize the opportunities.
Furthermore, Patton believed in constant action. He believed in going forward and attacking instead of defending himself.
Some have criticized him as reckless, but Patton never took uncalculated risks.
He examined the situation and knew when it was time to attack in order to reach the goal quickly.
In his own words, he said that “Any operation, reduced to its primary characteristic, consists in moving
down the road until you bump into the enemy. It may be one road, or it may be several
roads. When you have bumped, hold him at the point of contact with fire with about a
third of your command. Move the rest in a wide envelopment so that you can attack him
from his rear flank. The enveloping attack should start first. The initial nose attack starts
to move forward only when the enemy has properly reacted to the enveloping attack.
Then the direct attack can go in easily and fast.”
In business, you will sometimes feel that a problem is too big for you to handle, but instead of going into a defense position, face fear, keep the forward momentum and find a way to manage the circumstances.
Key Lessons from “Patton on Leadership”
1. The Traits of a Great Commander According to Patton
2. Morale, Discipline, and Timing
3. The Golden Rule of War
The Traits of a Great Commander According to Patton
-
- Tactical aggression (loves a fight)
-
- Strength of character
-
- Steadiness of purpose
-
- Acceptance of responsibility
-
- Energy
- Good health
Morale, Discipline, and Timing
Patton believed “that nearly 80% of his (a commander’s) mission is to arouse morale in his men”.
He also talked about discipline which, according to him “must be a habit so ingrained that it is stronger than the excitement of battle or the fear of death.”
Also, it is vital that the leader chooses the right timing to bring his plan into life since making a decision too early is just as bad as making one too late.
The Golden Rule of War
-
- Speed
-
- Simplicity
- Boldness
Like this summary? We’d Like to invite you to download our free 12 min app, for more amazing summaries and audiobooks.
“Patton on Leadership” Quotes
Rehearse your spontaneity until it really does seem spontaneous. Click To Tweet Maximum productivity is not the same as working continuously or working to exhaustion. Click To Tweet If you want progress, you must rule out all the excuses that impede progress. Click To Tweet Leadership is often a matter of balancing timing against available resources. Click To Tweet An effective manager not only knows how to delegate tasks, but knows how to delegate leadership as well. Click To Tweet
Emir is the Head of Marketing at 12min. In his spare time, he loves to meditate and play soccer.
