General George S Patton Operational Leadership Personified

This book focuses on the critical yet often overlooked subject of operational leadership. Using a case study of General George S. Patton, Jr. and his command of the U.S. Third Army during World War II as the backdrop, I intend to offer lessons learned from Patton's time as a commander at the operational level for potential future operational leaders who aspire to such command. The scope of this paper is straightforward; this is a study of operational leadership as performed by perhaps its most skilled practitioner. A detailed analysis of Patton's tactical accomplishments is not contained herein. Nor is a study of his pre-Third Army actions conducted. There are more than enough volumes that describe all of those impressive actions. Further, this paper will not delve into the controversial actions that colored Patton's career; there are even more volumes addressing those topics. Rather, an analysis of applicable aspects of Patton's tenure as the Commander, U.S. Third Army as pertinent to the concept of operational leadership will be conducted with the purpose being to provide somewhat of a blueprint from which those vying for command at the operational level may draw critical lessons.

This book focuses on the critical yet often overlooked subject of operational leadership. Using a case study of General George S. Patton, Jr. and his command of the U.S. Third Army during World War II as the backdrop, I intend to offer lessons learned from Patton's time as a commander at the operational level for potential future operational leaders who aspire to such command. The scope of this paper is straightforward; this is a study of operational leadership as performed by perhaps its most skilled practitioner. A detailed analysis of Patton's tactical accomplishments is not contained herein. Nor is a study of his pre-Third Army actions conducted. There are more than enough volumes that describe all of those impressive actions. Further, this paper will not delve into the controversial actions that colored Patton's career; there are even more volumes addressing those topics.

This paper focuses on the critical yet often overlooked subject of operational leadership. Using a case study of General George S. Patton, Jr. and his command of the U.S. Third Army during World War II as the backdrop, I intend to offer lessons learned from Patton's time as a commander at the operational level for potential future operational leaders who aspire to such command. The scope of this paper is straightforward; this is a study of operational leadership as performed by perhaps its most skilled practitioner. A detailed analysis of Patton's tactical accomplishments is not contained herein. Nor is a study of his pre-Third Army actions conducted. There are more than enough volumes that describe all of those impressive actions. Further, this paper will not delve into the controversial actions that colored Patton's career; there are even more volumes addressing those topics. Rather, an analysis of applicable aspects of Patton's tenure as the Commander, U.S. Third Army as pertinent to the concept of operational leadership will be conducted with the purpose being to provide somewhat of a blueprint from which those vying for command at the operational level may draw critical lessons.

This monograph discusses General George S. Patton, Jr. and Operational Battle Command. Six primary elements — Leadership, Decision Making, Information Assimilation, Visualization, Conceptualization, and Communication make up the dynamics of Battle Command. General Patton mastered the application of these dynamics. This monograph defines and provides examples of the dynamics of Battle Command as used by General Patton while he commanded the Third Army. The monograph first discusses Command and Control of Third Army, as well as General Patton’s relationship with his primary staff. The monograph then defines and provides examples of each of the dynamics of Battle Command using General Patton and his staff as the example. In conclusion the monograph provides three relevant lessons for future operational commanders concerning operational Battle Command based upon a historical study of General Patton. The lessons learned from the study include the training and retention of a competent staff, the commander personally focusing the intelligence effort, and the commander issuing clear intent and guidance especially regarding endstates.

This book discusses General George S. Patton, Jr. and Operational Battle Command. Six primary elements --- Leadership, Decision Making, Information Assimilation, Visualization, Conceptualization, and Communication make up the dynamics of Battle Command. General Patton mastered the application of these dynamics. This book defines and provides examples of the dynamics of Battle Command as used by General Patton while he commanded the Third Army. The book first discusses Command and Control of Third Army, as well as General Patton's relationship with his primary staff. The book then defines and provides examples of each of the dynamics of Battle Command using General Patton and his staff as the example. In conclusion the book provides three relevant lessons for future operational commanders concerning operational Battle Command based upon historical study of General Patton. The lessons learned from the study include the training and retention of a competent staff, the commander personally focusing the intelligence effort, and the commander issuing clear intent and guidance especially regarding endstates.

Drawing on General George Patton’s decisive moves and distinctive style, Alan Axelrod's Patton on Leadership gives executives and managers straightforward, practical lessons in dynamic, results-oriented management. This guide covers how to develop a leadership attitude, communicate effectively, inspire others, and more, with period photographs of the Patton throughout his career. “What can a civilian corporate leader learn from the combat tactics of General George S. Patton Jr.? Find out by reading Alan Axelrod’s Patton on Leadership. He takes leadership wisdom of one of America’s greatest and most colorful combat generals and applies it to contemporary civilian corporate organizations. Organized around Patton’s quotations and writings, each being related to specific corporate situations, Axelrod presents an in-depth understanding into the general’s leadership style and demonstrates that Patton’s ‘genius was being able to capitalize on his own intuitive notion of leadership.’ This book provides a perspective insight of a leadership methodology that may be a valuable asset to many corporate executives.”—Rutherford B. Johnson, commander, Georgia Chapter, George S. Patton Jr. Historical Society “I have no doubt that the leadership skills and personal attitude practiced by General Patton can be used effectively in both corporate and government managerial positions. Current and future leaders would do well to master those skills and to practice the vital requisities of honesty and integrity for which General Patton was noted and without which, leadership is highly suspect.”—William A. Burke, Major General (Ret.)

Profiles the life and military career of George S. Patton, discussing his schooling, his roles in World War I and World War II, his rise to the rank of general, and his death.

George S. Patton: On Guts, Glory, and Winning relies on the writings, speeches, and poems of George Patton, and includes his prayer to stop the rain during the battle of northern Europe. What separates this book from all of the many about World War II’s most famous battle commander is the extensive use of exquisite B&W combat photos on every spread, which illuminate the text on those pages. U.S. Army General George S. Patton is one of the greatest and most controversial battle commanders of World War II. His tactics were criticized by his detractors, lauded by his peers, and feared by the Nazis in North Africa, Sicily, France, and northern Europe. Some erroneously assumed he plunged his troops into battle with little or no forethought, but in fact he studied his opponent’s writings and tactics, knew the terrain and weather conditions on anticipated fields of fire, and even relied on the Bible for guidance. Almost no other general or world leader from World War II has been written about more than Old Blood and Guts Patton – a nickname he hated. Even today, despite advances in weaponry and technology, military commanders still study his battle tactics.

A brief biography and photos of General Patton helps readers visualize one of the great military leaders of all time. The inspirational content will make this book an indispensable compaion for busy executives everywhere. This collection of George S. Patton’s pithy one-liners shows how business managers can succeed by applying the combat-tested principles of one of America's most famous battlefield leaders. General Patton was a professional soldier who spent his life inspiring people to accomplish the seemingly impossible. Now managers can use his secrets to motivate their employees. The author takes brief quotations from Patton’s writings and draws the deep inner philosophy from them. This way, managers can easily grasp the principles involved and make practical use of them to get great performance and productivity from their employees. The book also presents the work of W. Edwards Deming and Walter A. Shewhart, two pioneers in quality control who have influenced management practice for over fifty years. Their philosophy is very similar to Patton’s—which is not surprising, since the fundamental principles of both military leadership and business management are universal.