General Pattons Leadership and Communication Style Analysis Essays

General Pattons Leadership and Communication Style Analysis Essays General Pattons Leadership and Communication Style Analysis Paper General Pattons Leadership and Communication Style Analysis Paper HIS authoritarian father role modeled a successful totalitarian approach which would eave overshadowed any attempt at a democratic leadership style (General Patton, n. D. ). A leaders selection of a particular behavioral style depends In part on the schemata that he has stored in long-term memory (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 62). General Patton was a formidable and strategic leader. Patton is now considered one of the greatest military figures in history (General Patton, n. D. ). Unfortunately, his blunt and intolerant personality and his authoritarian leadership style, at one point, was the primary force In his fall from grace. Even though Patton enlisted excellent military technicians, such as General Omar Bradley, his authoritative approach stifled their suggestions and constructive criticisms; ultimately leading to not only their dissatisfaction and throughout the ranks (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 45). Albeit these military technicians were highly trained, if General Patton had utilized a democratic style of leadership the decision- making process might have stalled to the point of becoming ineffectual, war and the military often demand immediate and decisive actions (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 43 46). General Patton maintained strict control over his subordinates and demanded 110% effort from everyone. His expectations were over-inflated, rigid, callous, and unyielding. Once his mind was made up no other possibilities would be considered. Once Patton ordered General Trust to either perform the Impossible or be replaced (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 51). A democratic leader would have discussed, evaluated, and proposed a collaborated solution to the predicament. He was also Intolerant of shortcomings In others, especially cowardice. : A good leader has the wherewithal to determine the appropriate leadership style for each situation (Hickman , 2009, p 56). General Omar Bradley was considered the Gigs General due to his more democratic leadership style and understanding of his mens OFF needs. He stated, IT a witling napes to tense men I 0 Like to De tenure Walt Patton created and maintained a distance between him and his followers; believing that a fear of him would make them try harder (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 42). Leaders should be ethical and serve the common good (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 16). General Patton generally ignored the ideas, feelings, and rank of others, even superiors (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 51). In utilizing his typical downward and linear communication style, his retort to a Junior officer reading General Alexander command for Patton to stop his advance to the west Thats what you think it said. I think it was garbled in transmission (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 8). Communication styles General Patton did not employ the more effective transactional model of communication. His model was more in line with the action model of unilateral or linear messaging (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 8-9). If he would have developed a more interactive model with feedback from each receiver, employing a more participative involvement with his staff, his followers might have been more receptive to his decisions and changes (Libber McConnell, 2008, p 424). He demonstrated an uncanny ability to motivate his troops. Impression management is the key to successful military leadership Creating the impression that they are trustworthy, effective, morally worthy, innovative, and skilled (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 30 31). Impression management can increase cooperation, but his sometimes detrimental impression management undermined relationships (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 33). His statement The soldier is the army. No army is better than its soldiers exemplifies respect towards his men and communicates how vital they are to the success of the operations. But in reality, in almost every operation, he demonstrated more concern for the successful completion of his assignment than for the soldiers welfare. He personally directed the completion of most tasks; textbook authority compliance behavior (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 55). Patton tended to dominate communications with Leadership is about who you are [and] what you do, instead of Leadership is about how you act [and] how you work with others. Influence instead of force and collaboration instead of demands is a more effective style of leadership (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 10-11). Patton was a devotee of history, especially the classical age, and related many satirical lessons through its retelling. If the German officers would have accepted the Junior officers prediction that Patton would strike in Sicily, reenacting the Greek and Romans examples, the war might have had a different outcome. Storytelling is a technique for relating events, inspiring actions and values, as well as building strong relationships and a sense of affiliation (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 23). Patton was ordered by his superiors to repair the damage to his public image, resulting from his disrespecting an enlisted man with a slap, through a public apology. His charismatic style of communication facilitated him in account[inning] for his missteps in ways that reduce their negative impact (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p Follows communication Leaders play an intricate role in enabling their followers to perform successfully through acknowledging and respecting their needs (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 59). Needs are central to task motivation; whether the needs are basic (food, water and shelter) or Mascots Pyramid Self-Actualization (Bellman Deal, 2008, p 124). We can achieve our goal only if we fulfill the needs of our own people (Bellman Deal, 2008, p 123). Patton preferred the Theory X management approach, believing that subordinates exhibit a dislike and a lack of motivation for work, requiring active management, direction, and motivation by a superior (Bellman Deal, 2008, p 126; Libber McConnell, 2008, p 351 529). The leader who thinks of followers as generally incompetent Is much more likely to engage in authoritarian leadership that calls for strict supervision and direction (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 62). In contrast, studies generally demonstrate that followers perform best when they are allowed autonomy and active participation (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 56). Through his overindulged ego fog he does not understand how others perceived him, that there are 50,000 men on this island whod like to shoot [Patton], or that The men do not share Patrons sense of glory, because they are stuck there living each day with death tugging at their elbow. He expected his men to show discipline and extraordinary character and only then did he respond with respect. Patton epitomized the inconsiderate leader through his lack of self-control, superseded ego, criticizing of soldiers in front of others, making threats, and refusing to accept lowers suggestions or explanations (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 53). His decisions were sometimes corrupt, insular, and self serving. He demonstrated blatant arrogance; not acknowledging his own mistakes but instead blaming others. His insatiable arrogance was demonstrated in his arriving first in Messing, Sicily and in Bastions, France in spite of the cost of so many mens lives. He did not know how to match his mood appropriately to some situation; sometimes his irritation and annoyance led to anger and rage (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 29). His demonstrations of callousness to his men was the origin of his nickname Old Blood ND Guts; our blood, his guts. A leader must value the feelings of his followers in order to bond with them and illicit their best performance (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 28). Patton made a critical dysfunctional leadership error when he slapped an enlisted man for showing cowardice; violating the soldiers human rights (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 17). He believed his fall from grace was a direct result of the slapping as he states All glory is fleeting. He cant believe that something so trivial could keep him from fulfilling his destiny. He deifies himself when he states God will not allow it. Patrons personal assistant, Let. Colonel Cadmic is an exemplary follower, knowing what they want to achieve in life and commit[ting] themselves to achieving [it] They understand what tasks are most important to achieving the organizations vision (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 59). Let. Colonel Cadmic was also conciliatory; effective in appeasing General Patrons ego and needs. He assisted in Patrons Illusions AT great power: even tong Held Marshall Roomer was not present at ten campaign, he was still the originator of the battle plan and therefore, Patton did beat Roomer. Task vs.. Interpersonal Orientation As a leader, he excelled within the task orientated model, performing brilliantly with the technical military stratagems, but failed with interpersonal relationships, exhibiting poor people skills. An effective leader is able to maintain these two leadership characteristics in balance (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 51). In the functional arena he was admired for his successes; never allowing for retreat but instead demanding offensive tactics. Winning was exceptionally important to Patton and this autocratic leadership ideal was evident in his statements: Wars are not won by defensive tactics. You keep moving and the enemy cannot hit you. When you dig a foxhole, you dig your grave. He excelled in his knowledge; of the enemy commander, having read Field Marshall Roomers warfare tactics book, and the performance limits of his men and equipment, having supreme knowledge of the tanks. Also effective, was his detailed preparation of the physical environment and action plans; applying historical strategies from the ancient Roman and Greek times. His poor people skills not only created considerable tension between him and other commanders, as evidenced with the deliberate race for control of Sicily with General Montgomery, but also between himself and his men, as exemplified with the incident of the slapping of the soldier. He was told by his superiors amour worst enemy is your big mouth. Leaders must demonstrate valued personality traits such as integrity, sincerity, and stability in order to earn and keep the respect and loyalty of their followers (Hickman Johnson, 2009, p 28 32). Conclusion General Patton employed both positive and negative leadership behaviors. The contradiction of his leadership is an example of what a leader can be and what they should not be.