Leadership Lessons from the Movie Patton
Patton is one of the most famous and successful military leaders in US history. According to a retired Army Officer who served under Patton as a Bn Commander in the 3rd Army, "the movie "Patton" is a very accurate depiction of General Patton during the Second World War."
Patton's entire life was spent preparing and studying the military art. The scene in the movie where it appears that Patton had been reincarnated is even somewhat realistic. Patton was extremely well read and had one of the largest personal military libraries of any of his peers. The fact is Patton was so well read that he could recall, from memory, what other great leaders had done in similar battles or on similar terrain.
Patton is a great study in military leadership. He directly, or indirectly, influenced every soldier in every unit he commanded. No small feat when you consider that he commanded the US Third Army in combat. He led from the front and by example. Patton had a specific reason for everything he did. His showmanship was a calculated effort in order to have the maximum effect in making sure every soldier knew his personality. His units took on his personality and he was able to instill fighting spirit in an entire Army by his words and actions.
He mastered the art of communication, supervision and commander's intent at every level of command. He ensured that every soldier knew his intent and executed his orders.
The movie Patton is a great place to begin your leadership study. Below are some very good additional resources that you might find both insightful and useful.
Resources:
Patton (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
War As I Knew It
Patton: A Genius for War
Patton on Leadership
Patton: A Biography (Great Generals)
Patton: The Man Behind the Legend, 1885-1945
Patton's One-Minute Messages: Tactical Leadership Skills for Business Managers
The Patton's: A Personal History of an American Family (The Warriors)
The Patton Papers: 1940-1945
Patton & His Third Army
I Was With Patton: First-Person Accounts of WWII In George S. Patton's Command
Patton's entire life was spent preparing and studying the military art. The scene in the movie where it appears that Patton had been reincarnated is even somewhat realistic. Patton was extremely well read and had one of the largest personal military libraries of any of his peers. The fact is Patton was so well read that he could recall, from memory, what other great leaders had done in similar battles or on similar terrain.
Patton is a great study in military leadership. He directly, or indirectly, influenced every soldier in every unit he commanded. No small feat when you consider that he commanded the US Third Army in combat. He led from the front and by example. Patton had a specific reason for everything he did. His showmanship was a calculated effort in order to have the maximum effect in making sure every soldier knew his personality. His units took on his personality and he was able to instill fighting spirit in an entire Army by his words and actions.
He mastered the art of communication, supervision and commander's intent at every level of command. He ensured that every soldier knew his intent and executed his orders.
The movie Patton is a great place to begin your leadership study. Below are some very good additional resources that you might find both insightful and useful.
Resources:
Patton (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
War As I Knew It
Patton: A Genius for War
Patton on Leadership
Patton: A Biography (Great Generals)
Patton: The Man Behind the Legend, 1885-1945
Patton's One-Minute Messages: Tactical Leadership Skills for Business Managers
The Patton's: A Personal History of an American Family (The Warriors)
The Patton Papers: 1940-1945
Patton & His Third ArmyI Was With Patton: First-Person Accounts of WWII In George S. Patton's Command
Posted by Leading Marines.com at 2/22/2009 6:06 PM 
Categories: Leadership ~ Movies
Tags: military leadership military movies
Categories: Leadership ~ Movies
Tags: military leadership military movies
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