Applicability of Leadership Traits of George Washington in Contemporary Geopolitical Situation - Essay Example

Applicability Of Leadership Traits of George Washington In Contemporary Geopolitical Situation By The AVF formed during late 1960s is today going through a difficult phase due to long overseas deployments, high casualties and growing dissent over the very rationale of the operations in Gulf region. Under the circumstances, leadership traits of General George Washington have become very relevant today to ensure continuation of voluntary nature of AVF and other related aspects. The success of the Continental Army over better trained and equipped British Army during independence war could not have been achieved without exceptional leadership displayed by General and later President George Washington. These leadership aspects need to be studied time and again and modified for implementation in the current situation to ensure success of our operations in war against terror and continuation of voluntary nature of our AVF. Applicability Of Leadership Traits of George Washington In Contemporary Situation Introduction I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent. George Washington The All Voluntary Force formed during late 1960s due to consistently improving ratio of suitable recruits' availability, reducing troop requirements and mounting resistance to Vietnam operations is today again facing the crunch due to increased casualties, reducing enlistments and growing American public sentiment against the war against terror. Long overseas deployments and worsening situation in Iraq may soon affect the very sustainability of AVF. (Greenewalt, 1969) Thus, new ways have to be evolved to attract sufficient and suitable youth towards the AVF. The future leaders of this country will need all lessons of history to motivate the youth towards joining the AVF. Towards this end, applicability of leadership qualities displayed by Gen George Washington and President George Washington during Revolution and initial formative years of America cannot be overemphasized. The aspect that he was trusted unanimously and the fact that he managed to successfully lead the military revolution against England using a ill-trained, war-torn, disarrayed and demotivated army gives an insight of his capabilities to turn-around an adverse situation and achieve seemingly impossible results effectively. Aim This study aims at bringing out various leadership traits of Gen George Washington which need to be studied and emulated by present and future generations of American leaders to effectively maintain military's present all voluntary structure and yet successfully achieve desired results more effectively. Brief Biography (http://www.nps.gov/history/logcabin/html/gw6.html) Born in 1732, George Washington, in his initial years, dreamt of mastering military art and western expansion while learning high morals and also gathered knowledge required by a Virginia gentleman. After working briefly for land survey, George Washington was commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel in Virginia Militia in 1754. He fought French and Indian wars as an aide to Gen Edward Braddock. His experiences helped develop his skills to be a great military leader later needed in the fight for independence from England. During 1759 - 1775 until outbreak of revolution, Washington managed his lands around Mount Vernon. During protests with England for excess taxes, Washington firmly expressed his objections to British policies. While serving as a Virginia delegate to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1775, he was unanimously elected Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. He took over command of his ill-trained troops and entered a war of independence lasting 8 years. Gen George Washington was a brave leader, using military tactics learned during formative years efficiently. Most importantly, he utilised the element of surprise besides maintaining morale of troops during most adverse conditions and turning them around to serve well-beyond stipulated engagement terms purely due to his leadership skills and ability to command respect than demand it. On June 19 1778, the continental Army moved out with new courage and resolve. The troops engaged British and defeated them at Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey. The Army continued operations for another five years and finally conquered much bigger and modern British forces. The last major victory was at Yorktown against Gen Cornwallis and his troops in Oct 1781. Because of his accomplishments during the war, a section of people wanted to crown him as King of America. However, with his visions of a strong and democratic union, he declined and resigned as a General voluntarily in 1783 in favor of a free democratic country with civil control over military. He helped organize Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia during 1787, and on ratification of the Constitution as first signatory, he was unanimously elected as the first President of America. While pursuing his dream of uniting the states together to establish a federal government, he did not interfere with policy making aspects vested with the Congress. As a major foreign policy initiative during French revolution against England, Washington rejected all conflicting proposals to get involved from either side and firmly remained neutral. 'There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate, upon real favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard.' George Washington In September 1796, he demonstrated another statesman's virtue, i.e. to leave a job at the right time. Instead of allowing a state to become entirely dependent on personal charm of a leader, he chose not to opt for a third term, a legacy which continues to the present day. He then returned to a humble family life at Mount Vernon, and died of throat infection on December 14, 1999. Leadership Traits of General George Washington With this background, let us now have a specific look at his abilities as a leader, which are relevant even today, especially when new look at continuation of an All Voluntary Force is definitely becoming complex, if not impossible. Doctrinal Aspects It is first important to talk about basic guiding principles affecting his decisions as a leader: a. Vision. At the outset, it is important to set highest possible goals. Without a great vision, no great accomplishment is possible. General George Washington displayed it time and again, and stuck to it in most challenging times. The importance of this virtue has time and again been displayed across the globe by all leaders; it was Mahatma Gandhi in India, Nelson Mandela in South Africa. b. Morals. This is one aspect without which there can be no true success in leadership. People look at their leaders, and follow them. Low morality always leads to a disastrous end to all visionary beginnings. Morality in 18th century consisted of the universal presentation of one's character in terms of honor, ethics and honesty. (Sommerfield, 2004) c. Civility. This was the first time in the history of mankind, a soldier turned into citizen leader, and willingly and voluntarily gave-up power of a king in favor of people elected democracy, and even stepped down after two terms making way for another yet to be determined citizen leader. (Goulston Gregson 2007) Organizational Capabilities A General's organizing capabilities have tremendous impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization's success or otherwise in operations. Some such relevant qualities are discussed in subsequent paragraphs: a. General Washington was a thinker in administrative and organizing aspects than a pure strategist or tactical General. b. Due to his capabilities, he overcame serious difficulties of short term enlistments, poorly clad and equipped soldiers and also an unmanageable group of legislators with indecisive loyalty and motivated them to stay with his ideas. (Stazesky 2000) c. Role Model. He always was a role model for everyone to emulate. With his mystical presence, he was revered by his subordinates, who actually stayed with him during the revolution despite having completed their terms. d. Flexibility. When faced with adverse situation, he always changed his strategy and tactics and surprised his friends and enemies alike by his actions. He made the British pay for every foot of the way across New Jersey. (Sommerfield, 2004) e. He knew that to defeat his enemy in contemporary situation, he did not need big victories but small ones which would inspire his fellowmen consistently and disillusion his adversaries. That way he could bleed the enemy directly affecting his psyche adversely. f. Being a great leader, he knew when to enter a situation and, most importantly, when to quit too. He quit as dictator of America in 1776, resigned as the general of the Continental Army in 1783 and retired as president in 1797. (Goulston Gregson 2007) Training a. He was a life-long learner, always updating his knowledge through reading, innovations and training and honing the battle skills. b. He learned from his failures and mistakes quickly, and he was well-respected in his ranks and peers. c. On assuming command, he understood the importance of training, and spent considerable time to train, organize, motivate and manage his Army to fight against a much bigger adversary. Material His decisions regarding selection of men, material and weapons to ensured requisite battle preparedness before any hasty decision to go in for an unprepared war proved extremely beneficial in the long run and also set a culture there from regarding battle preparedness. These aspects ensure better battle worthiness of a US soldier even today compared to his adversaries or even partners. (Stazesky 2000) Leadership a. In most adverse conditions, Washington understood the importance of sustaining and perseverance. He managed to break the will of British military. (Goulston Gregson 2007) b. He had gifts of physical size and charisma, energy, multi-faceted experiences on his side, his charm, immense courage, untarnished character, control over his temperament, wealth, great dreams and ambitions, unselfish patriotism and admiration and affection of populace at all levels of society. c. Moreover, his moral character ensured that all his decisions were for larger betterment of country, his unselfish actions gave confidence to his subordinates regarding good intentions of their leader and his courage of conviction ensured that he did not waver from his principles in most difficult situations. (Stazesky 2000). Overall, with such great qualities and, that too, in even most challenging circumstances, it was 'difficult to fail'. Personnel a. Compassion. He was always patient when dealing with his men. He understood their difficulties, and compensated for them through lifestyle of independence yet discipline, voluntary yet forthcoming for a larger national cause. He always ensured that people were motivated to undertake a task rather than forced to do it. Participative culture ensured better harmony and better understanding of overall aim of the organization. b. His yet another masterstroke was his civility, respect for human beings when dealing with them. Despite his confessions of severe temper, he seldom lost it in even most challenging circumstances. He always advocated better treatment of civilian population by military in their dealings. This ensured that the Army was well received in regions even when population had reasons to be hostile against Continental Army due to attractive offers by the British Army. Applicability in Contemporary Situation Of all the known personalities during American Revolution for independence, General and President George Washington alone displayed mutually complementary qualities of vision, intellect and moral character, over a long time and during difficult situations. He also maintained consistency in his long term vision as well as short term conflict resolution. (Stazesky 2000) The relevance of these aspects assumes significance even today because of lack of understanding by the populace regarding aim of present conflicts, our role in emerging world order (that whether we are defending our old position or striving for another in emerging world order where the driving force is economics than military power). When people loose perspectives of national aim, they become confused and prefer to pursue their own personal than national cause for own safety. This contradicts with overall national requirements, and has an adverse impact on national productivity and ultimately a loss in stature. General George Washington was more than just an inspiring battlefield commander. His leadership, dream and valor united a war ravaged country. Thereafter, he set his country on a path to greatness in a most unselfish manner, and quit while he was ahead and untouchable setting unparalleled trends in world politics. He remained absolutely honest and ethical. The present virtues of the AVF being leadership from the top, Quantitative analysis to evaluate AVF policies, the need to attract necessary type of recruits and ensuring adequacy of financial resources (Greenewalt, 1969) are basically descendents of a legacy initiated by General George Washington. While we have better pay and benefits for the military today than most other countries in the world, more needs to be innovated to ensure that quality of recruits for AVF is not compromised. Willingness of our troops to serve in most difficult and dangerous situations needs to be compensated financially as well as psychologically. The decision of whether to go in for operations or not should not be a decision of just a few individuals but evolved through some kind of national consensus, so that everyone plays his part in the game. Another aspect important to successfully maintain the AVF would be a requirement of ensuring more attractive financial and psychological renumeration for the troops, which should include not just the monetary aspects (which are obvious) but something that could better compensate the hardships faced by them and their families. It could be more attractive education facilities for them and their families, assured jobs for family members in public sector, benefits directly related to number of years of service rendered, attractive severance packages, service medals directly adding on to financial benefits, etc. More innovations can be thought of to attract youth towards the noble cause. The best part is that the commitment shown by our troops has never been lacking despite long deployments, high casualties and evident political differences over the deployment itself. A final judgment over AVF is not yet made, though it will always be a work in progress. The past demonstrates that AVF can be sustained during peace and war although the present challenges are alarming enough to look for an urgent solution. (Greenewalt 1969) Conclusion. Leadership traits of General and President George Washington shall be forever relevant, because they developed and achieved success during most difficult times of independence war. No other situation in the future can be expected to be as demanding, treacherous and so full of uncertainties. The only important aspect will be resolve of our leaders to find an acceptable, rational solution which evolves through a national consensus, the very foundation of a democracy. When in doubt, we simply have to look for leadership traits of George Washington and the likes of him, and we will have the solution in our minds. Bibliography 1. Crawford H. Greenewalt, (December 31, 1969) The Evolution of the All-Volunteer Force. Retrieved 25 Mar 08 from http://www.rand.org/pubs/research _briefs/RB9195 /index1.html. 2. Philip Ernest Schoenberg, Ph.D (2000) George Washington on Leadership. Retrieved 24 mar 08 from http://www.presidentialexpert.com/leadership_george_washington.html. 3. George Washington. Retrieved on 24 Mar 08 from http://www.nps.gov /history/logcabin/html/gw6.html. 4. Mark Goulston and Kevin Gregson, 09 May 2007, Leadership lessons from George Washington. Retrieved on 23 Mar 08 from http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/may/09lead.htm. 5. William Sommerfield, 23 Aug 04 George Washington: leadership lessons learned. Retrieved on 27 Mar 08 from http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-2615919 /George-Washington-leadership-lessons-learned.html. 6. Richard C. Stazesky, 22 Feb 2000. George Washington, Genius in Leadership. Retrieved on 24 Mar 08 from http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/articles/stazesky.html#top Read More