Leading with War: The Fallacies of Team Leadership: How Leaders Distort and Misuse the Lessons of History
()
About this ebook
Some say that war, however brutal and disgusting we may find it, brings out the finest qualities in leaders: courage, honor, integrity, and, above all, character. The lessons of war serve as popular civilian leadership models. Should we study the great generals of history and Lead with War? The problem is that leaders and leadership principles are full of contradictions, as reflected in the views of military strategists and generals the world over. What we often fail to learn from history is that there are different perspectives on leadership that we tend to cherry-pick as we see fit.
History supposedly informs the actions of the future leadership, and one can no doubt be enlightened by viewing leadership through a military prism. War is a profoundly human experience and as such is guided by human emotions and passion. But would those who have fought on our battlefields really recommend war as a classroom for learning team leadership in the civilian workplace? To make the best use of the insights the great historical generals offer us, we must watch for source bias, place their views in proper perspective, and modify the information in order to use it successfully within our own organization.
The material in this book is excerpted from the previously published book, Leadership, It Ain't Rocket Science: A Critical Analysis of Moving with the Cheese and Other Motivational Leadership Bullshit, also by Martina Sprague.
Martina Sprague
Martina Sprague grew up in the Stockholm area of Sweden. She has a Master of Arts degree in Military History from Norwich University in Vermont and has studied a variety of combat arts since 1987. As an independent scholar, she writes primarily on subjects pertaining to military and general history, politics, and instructional books on the martial arts. For more information, please visit her website: www.modernfighter.com.
Read more from Martina Sprague
Norse Warfare: A Portrayal of Combat, Raids, and Plunder in the Viking Age Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFighter's Body, Fighter's Mind: A Comprehensive Guide to Muscular Strength and Endurance Training for Martial Arts Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsScience of Takedowns, Throws, and Grappling for Self-Defense Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings365 Ways to Practice Your Karate, Grappling, and Martial Arts Techniques: The Martial Artist's Daily Pocket Companion Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Power Trip: How to Survive and Thrive in the Dojo Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLeading with Cheese, Fish, and Carrots: The Propaganda of Team Leadership: How Leadership Euphemisms Demoralize and Destroy Teams Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLessons in the Art of War: Martial Strategies for the Successful Fighter Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSun Tzu's Art of War: Profound or Ordinary? The Writings of the Great Chinese Sage Reconsidered from a Western Perspective Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUnderstanding Carl von Clausewitz: A 59-Minute Perspective Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Union and Confederate Civil War Strategies: A 59-Minute Perspective Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFor God, Gold, and Glory: A History of Military Service and Man's Search for Power, Wealth, and Adventure Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings100 Ways to Become a Better, Prouder, Smarter, Stronger, and More Respected Leader: The Courageous Leader's Pocket Companion Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPatriotism, War, and Why We Fight Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWe the People: New Socialism for a Modern World: A Brief Discussion About Freedom Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAmerica in World Wars I and II: A 59-Minute Perspective Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAmerican Warfare in the Pre-Civil War Era: A 59-Minute Perspective Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLeading with Science: The Logic of Team Leadership: How Teams are Formed, Managed, and Maintained Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMusashi's Book of Five Rings: A Military Scientific Explanation Made Easy for Modern Martial Arts Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBest Swordsman, Best Sword: Samurai vs. Medieval Knight: The Classic Debate Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGoing Indie: 25 Things You Should Know Before Self-Publishing Your Book: Writer Talk Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLeadership: It Ain't Rocket Science: A Critical Analysis of Moving with the Cheese and Other Motivational Leadership Bullshit! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Leading with War
Related ebooks
Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way - A Practical Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCollection. The Art of War. The Prince Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Best Strategy Collection: The Art of War, The Prince, The Book of Five Rings Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Art of War (Condensed Classics): History's Greatest Work on Strategy--Now in a Special Condensation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLords of Darkness: A History of the 45Th Avn Bn (Sp Ops) and Okarng Aviation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMasters of Warfare: Fifty Underrated Military Commanders from Classical Antiquity to the Cold War Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRemarkable War Leaders: Secrets of Their Personalities: The Remarkables Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Commanders: The Leadership Journeys of George Patton, Bernard Montgomery, and Erwin Rommel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTactical Leadership: Navigating the Way to Victory Through the Fog and Friction of War Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5On Operations: Operational Art and Military Disciplines Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Lessons in the Art of War: Martial Strategies for the Successful Fighter Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Chesty Puller Paragon: Leadership Dogma Or Model Doctrine? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Art of War (Original Classic Edition) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Important Differences Between Successful And Unsuccessful Senior Allied Army Combat Leaders Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOpportunity In Danger: Manstein’s East Front Strategy From 19 November 1942 To 18 March 1943 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Most Reasonable Of Unreasonable Men: Eisenhower As Strategic General Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChief of Staff, Vol. 2: The Principal Officers Behind History's Great Commanders, World War II to Korea and Vietnam Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIntrepid Warriors: Perspectives on Canadian Military Leaders Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSummary of Sun Tzu & Thomas Cleary's The Art of War Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFour-Star Leadership for Leaders Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEichelberger - Intrepidity, Iron Will, And Intellect: General Robert L. Eichelberger And Military Genius Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Enduring Art of War: A Paraphrase and Commentary on Sun Tzu Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Science of War: Sun Tzu's Art of War re-translated and re-considered Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDecisive Warfare: A Study in Military Theory Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGreat Commanders [Illustrated Edition] Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Servant Way: Leadership Principles from John A. Lejeune Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOrdeal by Fire: An Informal History of the Civil War Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCode Name: Spirit Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSummary of John Keegan's The Face of Battle Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Complete Art of War Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Motivational For You
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Think and Grow Rich (Illustrated Edition): With linked Table of Contents Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, Third Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Emotional Intelligence 2.0 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Set for Life: An All-Out Approach to Early Financial Freedom Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Richest Man in Babylon: The Success Secrets of the Ancients Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Summary of The Laws of Human Nature: by Robert Greene - A Comprehensive Summary Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Intelligent Investor, Rev. Ed: The Definitive Book on Value Investing Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Stop Doing That Sh*t: End Self-Sabotage and Demand Your Life Back Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Banish Your Inner Critic: Silence the Voice of Self-Doubt to Unleash Your Creativity and Do Your Best Work Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 360 Degree Leader Workbook: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tools Of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bullshit Jobs: A Theory Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: 15th Anniversary Infographics Edition Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves: Cheat Sheet Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Game of Life And How To Play It Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Emotional Intelligence Habits Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for Leading with War
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Leading with War - Martina Sprague
INTRODUCTION
––––––––
As evidenced by the immensely large number of leadership books on the market, one tends to think that leadership is a profound subject that needs this much coverage in order that one can make sense of it. In 1975 two hundred books were published on the subject of managing and leading. By 1997 that number had more than tripled. In fact, over the last twenty years authors have offered up over nine thousand different systems, languages, principles, and paradigms to help explain the mysteries of management and leadership.
¹ But many modern ideas about leadership are nothing but hybrids of older ideas, and rarely is an idea truly new. In fact, as American journalist Robert D. Kaplan (1952- CE) observed, Some truths are so obvious that to mention them in polite company seems either pointless or rude. What is left unstated, however, can with time be forgotten.
²
Although most of the motivational leadership studies on the market promise to reveal a new and innovative approach to leadership, many cast very little fresh light on the problems the leader faces every day. I believe it is safe to say that many of us read these books not because we seek something concrete that will inform us of how to behave, or that will contradict our previous views and therefore trigger some critical thinking, but because we want confirmation of the views that we already hold. Leading with War, or using examples set by successful military leaders, is but one way that leadership studies are popularly approached. To demonstrate a point, allow me to cherry-pick a sentence or two from the ancient Chinese military classic The Methods of the Ssu-ma, dating to approximately the fourth century BCE: If you lead in person they will follow. When orders are annoying they will be ignored.
³ Or from Sun-tzu’s Art of War, dating to the fifth to sixth century BCE: When the troops continually gather in small groups and whisper together, the general has lost the confidence of the army.
⁴ Who can argue with these words of wisdom? Yet contrary to popular belief, history does NOT repeat itself. Jeffrey Cohn, leadership advisor to chief executives, reminds us that one reason why we are bad at picking good leaders is because, [a]t best, a ‘track record’ only tells half of the story. In a new position, the candidate will have to face new obstacles, deal with a new team, manage more people, introduce new products, and do it all without a clear roadmap.
⁵
In a perfect world the study of leadership, similarly to the study of history as suggested by Swiss historian Jacob Burckhardt (1818-1897 CE), should not make us clever for the next time, but make us wise forever.
⁶ The readers of leadership books would be wise to approach their studies with the same caution as a historian approaches his or her sources of information. You start by asking who wrote the book, what is his or her background, and what are the potential biases hidden within the text. What conviction does the author hold and what is he or she trying to achieve? Historians, as should leaders, deal with what has happened in the past but avoid making predictions or prescribing future behavior. A good historian does not push an ideology. Rather, he or she forms a thesis and examines the issues, and so should the leader. If the evidence reveals that the initial thesis will not work, the historian, as should the leader, changes the thesis rather than cherry-picks for evidence that supports the initial idea. Military historian Jay Luvaas pointed out that, A book is like a mirror. If an ass looks in, no prophet can peer out.
⁷ This might be good advice for the leader, too.
The material in this book is excerpted from the previously published book, Leadership, It Ain’t Rocket Science: A Critical Analysis of Moving with the Cheese and Other Motivational Leadership Bullshit, also by Martina Sprague.
Experience is of more value in the Art of War than all philosophical truth.
— Carl von Clausewitz
––––––––
How fortunate for leaders that men do not think.
— Adolf Hitler
––––––––
No man is good enough to govern another man, without that other’s consent.
— Abraham Lincoln
THE GREAT GENERALS
––––––––
Some say that war, however brutal and disgusting we may find it, brings out the finest qualities in leaders: courage, honor, integrity, and, above all, character. The lessons of war serve as popular civilian leadership models. Consider for a moment how leaders on every level of the corporate ladder are likely to identify with the widely quoted Art of War, an ancient military text and classic work on strategy by Chinese general and philosopher Sun-tzu (c. 544-496 BCE): One who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be endangered in a hundred engagements,
⁸ or, "Attaining one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the pinnacle of excellence. Subjugating the