Leadership Style of Audie Murphy - Essay Example

? Leadership Style of Audie Murphy Introduction Leadership refers to the process of influence in which a person can enlist the aid and support of others in order to complete a common task. Many people perceive a leader as someone whom people follow or as someone who directs others. Leadership can also mean having a dominating power over the people. The paper discusses the leadership style of Audio Murphy as displayed in the “To Hell and Back” movie. Leadership Style of Audie Murphy The “To Hell and Back” movie displays leadership qualities as depicted by Audie Murphy during his life as an American Soldier. The leadership style of Audie Murphy made him the most decorated American Soldier of the Second World War. Audie Murphy had a small body size, which made the Marines, Navy and paratroopers to reject him. When the United States entered the Second World War, Murphy had an expectation of being enlisted. However, the Marines, the Navy and the paratroopers reject him on the ground of his small size and youthful appearance (Rosenberg, 1955). In most cases, people relate the size of the body to the strength of the soldiers, which enables them to defeat their enemies. Finally Murphy is reluctantly accepted by the Army as an ordinary infantryman. After Murphy had acquired basic and infantry training, he was shipped out to the Third Infantry Division located in North Africa mainly as a replacement. In the first unit, third Infantry Division 15th Regiment, Murphy had difficulty of being in the line unit. The Commander thought that it was a mistake for Murphy to be the line unit due to the fact that his path health was not good. Lieutenant Manning noted the physical deficiencies of Manning thus recommending that he be resigned (Rosenberg, 1955). However, Audie Murphy stood up for himself explaining that he had an interest in the Army and that is all he wants to do. Even though Murphy had not been promoted to the rank of leadership, he showed some qualities of a good leader. Later Manning changed his mind after Audie had insisted upon fighting and signed up for every educational course. After Murphy had convinced his commander to allow him stay, he demonstrated his loyalty and pride. In his first unit, Murphy could try very hard to enable him to improve. Murphy also learned to be tactically and technically proficient, which could enhance his career. This showed his fellow soldiers that he had the characters and capabilities of leadership. A leader is expected to hold the top position thus charged with the responsibility of issuing directives in order to achieve a common goal (Mangi et al., 2011). Therefore, the leader should be tactically and technically proficient in order to realize the achievement of the goal. Murphy had an interest in the Army because it is all he wanted and after convincing the Commander to allow him stay, he soon proves himself in a battle. Due to the good qualities observed in Audie Murphy during the battle, he steadily gets promotion even though it was against his will at first. Murphy was promoted as a battlefield commission to the rank of second lieutenant. A leader should treat his people equally showing love to all of them (Mangi et al., 2011). Audie Murphy displayed the qualities of a good leader by showing respect and love to his fellow soldiers. During the many battles that occurred in Italy, France and Sicily, Audie Murphy takes the lead and this makes him gains the respect of his men thus enabling him to be close to his fellow soldiers. During the battles, Murphy perceives himself as part of the unit and he believes that everything he performs is meant to benefit the unit and not individually. Murphy acknowledges the fact that every activity he performs will enable the unit advance as a whole and not individually. This shows the quality of a good leader. As a leader, one should focus on achieving the goals that benefit the whole group rather than individual persons. A leader does not emphasize on achieving individual goals but rather the goals that benefit all the members (Wright, 2009). During the battles, Audie Murphy liked to work alone without bothering about his fellow soldiers, putting himself at risk (Rosenberg, 1955). Leadership involves taking charge of all the responsibility for the benefit of all the members (Mangi et al., 2011). A leader understands the worthiness of the personal efforts and sacrifices, which enable them to rise to meet insurmountable challenges and obstacles. Audie Murphy had a clear understanding that his personal sacrifices and efforts could enable them overcome the enemies. A leader should keep away from the people who belittle their ambitions (Wright, 2009). A leader is likely to fail in realizing the common goals especially if the ambitions are thwarted by other people. This could be a group of people who are incompetent or the complainants. The complainants believe that the task is too difficult hence cannot be achieved. This could be probably the reason why Murphy chose to work alone to avoid his fellow soldiers from belittling his ambitions. Therefore, Murphy showed the leadership skills that enable them to defeat the enemies. Many leaders fail to take risks due to the challenge they may experience (Mangi et al., 2011). The challenge makes risk difficult and it steers most people away from it. However, leaders should understand that people learn and develop their skills from challenges. The challenges improve not only the leaders but also the people who are led through the challenges. Murphy took the risk of facing the enemies alone even when the fellow soldiers had retreated because he believed in developing his skills based on the challenges. The challenges Murphy encountered enhanced his confidence that enabled him to make difficult decisions. Throughout the movie, Murphy is depicted as courageous because he faces various situations without fear. The indomitable courage of Murphy enabled him to remain alone and face the enemies even when his fellow soldiers had retreated. Through training, skill and intelligence, Murphy became an astounding soldier who could carry out various battles with a lot of courage. This character of Murphy explains the qualities of a good leader, which can help in the realization of the set goals. Leadership requires courage that enables the leader to face various situations without fear thus motivating your people to be courageous too (Wright, 2009). Leadership that pushes towards progress must involve courage even in the face of obstacles and difficult decisions. Leadership involves holding the top position in order to lead the people in achieving the core objective (Mangi et al., 2011). The leaders should be at the forefront in every activity directing the people on what they should do rather than following people at the back. Murphy stood at the forefront performing every activity the front line combatant is required to do. This enabled them to take and control ground through Italy, France, Sicily and Germany. When Audie was a corporal the enemies attacked them one early morning that led to Manning being shot and the sergeant killed. Audie depicted leadership quality by taking charge of the men. Leadership involves taking concern of your people even if it means dying on their behalf as depicted in the character of Murphy (Wright, 2009). During the morning attack, Murphy is ordered to stay in position as a decoy. Murphy obeyed the orders showing that he was willing to die for the sake of his people. The soldiers struggled through horrific battle in a heavy pouring rain, which made them to grow frustrated and weary. Murphy was a determined soldier who liked his profession so much. Due to his determination, he encouraged his fellow soldiers not to grow weary by taking the lead in every operation. Leaders full of determination always work very hard in order to achieve the set goals even in times of difficulties (Wright, 2009). Audie is promoted to the post of sergeant and given a two-week leave in Napples (Rosenberg, 1955). After the rest, the men continue to fight on, and by the time the received orders to attack the Italian farmhouse, Murphy is already a seasoned leader. Kovak and Manning are taken out by a sniper in the house during the attack, and Audie full of courage, targets and kills the sniper. This shows that leadership involves courage rather than fear. In case Audie could not have been courageous, the sniper could have killed Manning and Kovak. Audie Murphy and his team finally capture the house and when the tanks of the Italians bear down on them, they coordinate with the American naval ships. The American naval ships bomb the lead tank thus blocking the road. Leadership involves coordination thus ensuring a combination of efforts in achieving a mission (Mangi et al., 2011). Audie Murphy and his fellow soldiers were able to obtain support from the naval ships thus defeating the enemies because Murphy coordinated with them. Murphy realized early enough that the Italians were repairing the tanks before they could attack them. When he realized that the repair of the tank was an impending danger, he leads his men to ambush the Italians thus blowing up the tank. Leadership involves sourcing of appropriate information that is necessary in obtaining the common goal. The leadership style of Murphy enabled him to realize in good time that the Italians were repairing the tanks. Because he was a leader, he tried to seek information about the enemies to enable them plan for various attacks to seize the enemies (Wright, 2009). The battalion is sent to France to attend a battalion training, as the Nazis start to fall back to Germany. Although Murphy orders Brandon of the impending danger, the soldiers followed his friend and leader and they kill a sniper with the grenade. The soldiers thought that they were safe and when Brandon stood, he was shot by the German soldiers. Murphy gains courage and faces the German soldiers killing all them in the foxholes (Rosenberg, 1955). After killing the German soldiers, Murphy returns to the body of Brandon unable to leave him in the battlefield. This shows that a leader should be able to take care of his people without neglecting them. Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor for being a heroic leader displayed by his action towards the end of the film. The German soldiers are seen to be fierce thus forcing the Murphy’s company to retreat (Rosenberg, 1955). Bravery enough, Murphy remains behind at the edge of the forest alone to direct the artillery on the enemies as they advance. When the enemies were closer, he commandeers an Allied tank thus shooting the enemies one by one. Audie refuses to back down even though the tank catches fire. Therefore, leadership requires one to be a hero thus being able to face various dangers courageously. Conclusion In leadership, a person can enlist the aid or support of other people in order to achieve a common goal. Leadership also involves taking charge of the situation without necessarily relying on the people you lead, as displayed by Audie Murphy. Therefore, leaders should employ the leadership qualities of Audie Murphy as explained in the paper. List of References Mangi, R. A., Ghumro, I. A., & Abidi, A. R. (2011). A view on leadership skills and qualities with reference to crisis, change and employee relationship. Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, 3 (7), 398-408. Rosenberg A. (Producer) , & Hibbs, J. (Director). (1955). The most decorated soldier in American history, Audie Murphy movie (Motion picture). United States: Universal International Pictures. Wright, L. (2009). The universal qualities of effective leadership. Security, 46 (10), 30. Read More