George Patton

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses George Patton's leadership style, particularly his unique way of working with others, delegating tasks and maintaining order. The paper examines several areas of Patton's style and presents some of his practices. The paper then provides some personal observations of the writer's, in an effort to better understand this unique leader and his leadership style.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Patton's Style of Working with Others
The Role Patton's Personality Played in His Emergence and Subsequent Behavior as a Public Leader
Kinds of Issues that Patton Dealt with (either positively or negatively)
Issues/Situations That Caused Disagreement with Patton
Did I Ever Question the Motives of Patton
Did I Ever Ignore Certain Kinds of Information in a Systematic Fashion?
Was I Ever Critical of What Patton Did?
What I Would Have Done Differently?
Summary

From the Paper:

"Risking the use of cliche, George Patton was, and remains an enigma, defying conventional definition and of course still being examined and evaluated to this day, some six decades after his death. Organizationally speaking, his leadership skills, while unquestionably effective, were also abrasive, often offensive, and did hold back others who were subordinate to him. Whether through ego or false impressions that no one else was as talented as he, Patton was guilty of not utilizing the talented and highly trained people around him in a more effective fashion. In closing, Patton's example should serve as a dual lesson of what a leader can be and what they should not; hence, the enigmatic nature of his existence and organizational management style."

Sample of Sources Used:

• (1997). The Fighting Pattons (B. M. Sobel, Ed.). Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.
• Pierce, J., & Newstrom, J. (2000). Leaders and the Leadership Process (4th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
• Ryan, L. (2004). Leadership-The Army Way. Business Week online. Retrieved December 5, 2006 from the World Wide Web: http://www.businessweek.com/careers/content/mar2006/ca20060314_273725.htm?chan=search

More papers on George Patton:

• Research Paper # 45621 : "George S. Patton"
• Essay # 35136 : "General Patton's D-Day Speech"
• Book Review # 138285 : "Patton: A Genius of War" by Carlos D'este"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: