AN ESSAY ON

CRAZY HORSE
by 8141054

If you actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a
leader.
By John Quincy Adams1

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy, who is not, will be victorious.
By Sun Tzu2

INTRODUCTION

1.

Crazy Horse was a legendary warrior and leader American-Indian in the era 1800s.

He was a leader of Lakota Sioux which a mythical figure of the Great Plains Indian War. He
was born in 1840s by the name given Tashunka Witko by his father and because his bravery
his father calling him with nickname Crazy Horse.3 During his early age, Crazy Horse was
showed his brave and committed warrior

He earned a reputation among his people when

stole horses from neighbouring Crow Indians.4 He continues his bravery in the battlefield
and be an example fighter to his people. On 25 June 1876 he presented in battlefield at the
Little Bighorn River to fight US Army which is led by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong
Custer. This battle was known as the Battle of the Little Bighorn and the greatest victory of
Crazy Horse life.5

2.

From the catch word above Crazy Horse is a finest reference for that. As a legendary

hero for Red Indian tribes, he brought personnel victorious for himself and even after died the
goodness still maintains to be an example for future generation.

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AIM

3.

The aim of this writing is to discuss and analyse on leadership Crazy Horse who is

warrior of Lakota Sioux. Also connect his leadership as a warrior with theory and principle
leadership lesson.

THE CONCEPT OF LEADERSHIP

4.

The defining of the word leadership is different from another person to another

person. That is not an easy task too. Why it is not an easy task? Leadership is regarding
human relations and interaction among them. It is interaction the person who are lead
something institution to the party who are the followers which regarding to that institution.
Many scholars were studies about leadership and sharing their theories with their books.

DEFINING LEADERSHIP

5.

According to Dandridge M. Malone (1983), in page 26 and 27, the definition of

leadership in the army not the same thing at all levels. The author give an idea how the army
leadership takes own role for each levels of group leaders. The general command a division
and corps with combination of all respective expertise will provide to the colonels level. The
colonels level with use what the general provides to direct the battle. Lastly, the captain level
is going to fight with led his subordinates follows the direction from colonels and general
orders.

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6.

On the other reference, according to ADDP 00.6 (2007), in page 1A-1, leadership are

groups the useful of force the energy, enthusiasm and skills to achieve what organisational
objectives in which different levels work situations enclosure it the practical things as
follows:

7.

a.

Influencing work members.

b.

Motivating and inspiring peers and subordinates.

c.

Directing and controlling subordinates.

On the lastly, according to Christopher D. Kolenda (2001), in the page 5, leadership is

about understanding of human nature, excellence in skill and character and an understanding
of the idea of the end state. Leadership was the bridge between the personal, interpersonal
and cosmological (visionary) levels.

8.

In my perspective with collecting the idea from the references, leadership is involving

four main things. The leader must have energy to organize, motivate and inspire, directing
and controlling all around individual in his working circumstance to achieve what in the end
state. The leadership can be in nature or by training, but it must practice. I believe the
leadership definitions will make an idea to analyse the Crazy Horse leadership.

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LEADERSHIP THEORY AND LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

9.

There are many theories that could be used as leadership analysis. Because of the

diversity of Crazy Horse leaderships qualities, I will use a theory to examine his leaderships.
The theory is The Great Man Theory, and I will analyse further Crazy Horse leaderships
using the selected Principle of Leadership. In this writing, a few books I do as references
also the other than the book I shall use as references, I also use references from the internet
source which I believe can trust to analyse Crazy Horse leadership finally completing my
writing. Therefore, for the purpose of analysis, this paper will use the leadership principles as
described in the Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 00.6, with the title Leadership in
the Australian Defence Force which update in 2007.

10.

The leadership principles listed in the Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 00.6

were first included in the Australian Army leadership doctrine in 1973. These principles are
tested of the time and relevant to all arms of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). All the
listed principles they use for the self assessment and development of a personal leadership
action plan. There are ten (10) principles in the ADF and I refer four (4) for this paper
writing.

11.

The Great Man Theory. For every effective leader, it is believed that they somehow

show familiar characteristics that reason them to behave in certain ways.

The main

assumptions are leaders are born and not made, and great leaders will arise when there is a
great need. If we look at the great leaders of the past such as Alexander the Great, Julius
Caesar and Napoleon. We will find that they do seem to differ from ordinary human beings in
several aspects. It is also known as the Great Man theory.6 The same applies to the leader

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like Crazy Horse. Similar to Crazy Horse personalities, he did show many enthusiasm and
determination capabilities since his earlier days. He was born not in the warrior family but he
became a leader in young age. He was showed his leader character is brave during his kid
time. The more analysis about him was according The Great Man Theory in topic The
Analysis Crazy Horses Leadership at the paragraph below.

12.

Know Yourself and Seek Self Improvement.7 The definition of this principle by

asks the question honestly, What could I do better? Leaders need know his or her own
strength and weaknesses also where his or her preferences. Knowing all the thing is the step
to the next step of what the leader need doing something to the group or team. The time goes
on with the experiences and study to the good leading and learns how to turn the weaknesses.
Therefore, because of things change, self-awareness must be a constant discipline.

If

something happens to the subordinate, the leader need to know how use the imagination or
creativity in choosing the response or judgement to the best action need to apply. To self
improvement, the leader may ask another who is the same grade or who sees us work as a
leader. There is become check and balance to be improve the values of leadership in us
ethuatism.

13.

Seek and accept responsibility.8 A leader always distress with responsibility.

As a leader preparation for undertake responsibility which is greatly needed and

must be prepared to accept all kind of responsibility when accept the role of a
leader. The responsibility consist any responsibility passed from superiors and
demands from subordinate. Adding the stated of leaders responsibility, a leader
must have initiative and also may train and encourage subordinates to seek

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responsibility. The leader must avoid blaming any else and take responsibility for
any actions of their team in order to maintain their confidence level.

14.

Lead by example.9 No people are perfect but the person who is the leader should to

be a role model to the other person. No aspect o leadership are perfect and very powerful.
As a leader who expects courage, competence, candour commitment and integrity from his or
her followers, that leader himself/herself must have qualities personality. All the aspect of
leadership is perfect and most powerful. If the leader expects courage, competence, candour,
commitment and integrity from followers, the leader should have qualities personality. The
leader need set the standards, not too high but it can achievable. Humans need unlimited
same as the followers need from their leader. But as a leader sacrifice to all team members as
well as with ability will affect followers. The leader should be as exemplary model to
followers, then the trust and respect to follow.

15.

Know and care for subordinate.10 The leader needs sacrifice time to learn and to

listen his or her followers. Give full response genuinely to what followers need to deliver by
voice or from their body language. Respect and trust as a response from followers can leader
get from genuinely understand them. In this principle means the followers not just need the
enough food but more than that up to meaningful work and them self development. Fairness
and approachable leader should be practicing and keeping personnel record all the
subordinates if possible for easy contact.

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THE ANALYSIS OF CRAZY HORSES LEADERSHIP

16.

Having determined a Great Man Theory and four principles of leadership, my paper

writing below will now focus on leadership Crazy Horse.

17.

The Great Man Theory. I take one Crazy Horse battle history which related to the

Great Man Theory. During Crazy Horses young days, In December 1866, Crazy Horse was
successfully led a small group in Red Clouds War, consist ten Red Indian to trap the 80
troops U.S. Army from Fort Phil Kearny which led by Captain William Fetterman. That U.S.
Army a troop is on the way to Wyoming in mission expand U.S. territorial colony in Sioux
province. With bravery of Crazy Horse, his group was successfully trapping the U.S. Army
in the valley which a big group of Red Indian ready to attack them from the hill. All of them
dead, and Crazy Horse name popular because his role on that battle.11 According to Joseph
M. Marshall III (2009) in page 17, Crazy Horse leadership are by exemplary. He gain respect
from his community because he is a good man, strong, persistent and compassionate leader. I
believe Crazy Horses community willing to sacrifice anything because admire charisma of
him I take a few sentences from this book to show how Crazy Horse a very respective person
in his community as below:

He did not teach leadership; he simply demonstrated it. He was influenced by many leaders
who had gone before him, as well as by the values espoused by his culture and family. As time
went on, he was chosen to be headman over the villages that made up his community because
he was a good man and a strong, persistent, compassionate leader. It is for these reasons that
the Lakota people will never forget him, and that his legacy has so much to offer those outside
the Lakota lineage.
Joseph M. Marshal III (2009) page 17

18.

Know Yourself and Seek Self Improvement. The Crazy Horse very responsible

about safety and welfare of other people beyond his own family members. He learns it from

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his experience on the many battlefield with his mentor High Back Bone, Red Cloud, his
younger brother Little Hawk and Spotted Tail.12 The processes to develop a good leadership
by this type of principle make a time and need high patience. Because of Crazy Horse need
to fulfil responsibility he needs to sacrifice his own abilities, capabilities, experiences, and
character. During his young stage, I believe he not as aspire to leadership. Because on that
particular time his heroic still unproven and inexperience to be warrior, he had the same
training and physical skill as other young man.

19.

Seek and accept responsibility. According to Joseph M. Marshall III (2009),

pages 122 and 123, Crazy Horse was selected as a Shirt Wearer or Shirt Man in the
summer of 1865.

That was an ancient tradition and distinction given to men

because of high character. That honour shows the Crazy Horse is the men who are
very inspirational person among the Oglala Lakota society. During he was selected to
be a leader in Red Clouds War to trap Captain William Fetterman soldiers he never argues
and success to lead his group. It shows he is a loyal person and has very understood about
tactic and operation under his responsibility.

20.

Lead by example. I believe Crazy Horse is a good model leader that has high

sacrifice feels to his followers. The relationship a leader, Crazy Horse with his followers is
very close. Even his character a quite person,13 but with his sacrifice to the Sioux tribes are
meaningful to them. According to Larry McMurtry (1999), pages 34 and 35, Crazy Horse
was very concerned to the poor and helpless members in his tribes. He took very seriously at
all his life to help the poor, until last his breath. He was dress as simply as ever to show that
he very humble to his poor followers. I believe Crazy Horse is a good model leader that has

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high sacrifice feels to his followers.

The relationship a leader, Crazy Horse with his

followers is very close.

21.

Know and care for subordinate. Crazy Horse are very good leader in his area,

Lakota. He maintains his tribes cultural for maintain motivation his community. At same
time he carry on the training the teenager in different skill level for using an archer and also
other weapon. For the preparation his soldier become skilful soldier he train them in close
combat training. According to Joseph M. Marshall III (2009), page 36, during preparation
the soldiers to war mission in December 1866, the old man warrior leaders of Sioux was
picked the Crazy Horse to be leader of a team in dangerous mission. That is because of
Crazy Horse capability knowing his men even though during that time his age only in early
twenties. In my opinion, he have superior skills and capable attract the horsemen and
warriors to follow his orders. I believe even Crazy Horse in young age he must have indeed
understood how to take care the subordinate. According to Joseph M. Marshall III (2009),
page 49, for maintain the motivation of family his soldiers, Crazy Horse fulfil their societal
roles with strength of the educative process.

The program teacher-mentor to remain

committed to the development of family members. The lesson was given very valuable as all
the others that were learned, especially for any young man who aspired to be a leader.

CONCLUSION

22.

Crazy Horse is a legend hero in America especially for Red Indian nation who is the

original race of American. He was success to show the example leadership to the young
generation. A good lesson from his leadership was shown are loyal and brave in whatever
needs to do and show a good example in behaviour. I am very excited through my reading I

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found that Crazy Horse is much respected leader and have many followers even in a young
age. Base on the significance principles of leadership that I am refer from ADDP 00.6 Crazy
Horse have a leader personality and can make an example to whom want to be a good leader.
On my view from Crazy Horse leadership writing, a good leader does not from a leader
family legacy or warrior family history but who have loyal followers and they sacrifice the
life to their leader.
(Word Count: 251214)

Notes
1.

Leadership quotes-page 1 from the internet web Brainy Quote Retrieved June 10, 2014, from
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_leadership.html.

2.

Leadership quotes-page 3 from the internet web Brainy Quote Retrieved June 10, 2014, from
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_leadership.html.

3.

History.com Staff. (2009). Crazy Horse. A+E Networks Publisher. Retrieved April 30, 2014,
from http://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/crazy-horse/.

4.

Education Materials Index. Retrieved Jul 2, 2014, from https://www.armyheritage.org.

5.

Who was Crazy Horse? History-Lesson and Quiz. Retrieved Jul 2, 2014, from
http://education-portal.com/.

6.

Gill, R. (2006). Theory and Practice of Leadership. London: SAGE Publications Ltd., p. 37.

7.

Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 00.6 (ADDP 00.6). (2007). Leadership in the
Australian Defence Force. Canberra, Australia: Department of Defence., p 3-21.

8.

Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 00.6 (ADDP 00.6). (2007). Leadership in the
Australian Defence Force. Canberra, Australia: Department of Defence., p 3-21.

9.

Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 00.6 (ADDP 00.6). (2007). Leadership in the
Australian Defence Force. Canberra, Australia: Department of Defence., p 3-21.

10 .

Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 00.6 (ADDP 00.6). (2007). Leadership in the
Australian Defence Force. Canberra, Australia: Department of Defence., p 3-22.

11 .

Education Materials Index. Retrieved Jul 2, 2014, from https://www.armyheritage.org.

12 .

Joseph M.Marshall III. (2009). The Power of Four: Leadership Lessons of Crazy Horse. New
York, USA: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., p. 43.

13 .

Larry McMurtry. (1999). Crazy Horse. USA: Penguin Books Ltd., p.9.

14 .

Word Count is from para 1-22, Word count does note include end notes or the bibliography.