The Garrison Report #2008-8

General George Patton on Leadership

Listen to the audio version of this report here

Involving everyone in the strategic planning process is important because leaders who maximize their performance surround themselves with other able leaders. Theodore Roosevelt said, "The best executive is one who has sense enough to pick good people to do what he wants done and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it."

While I never served under General Patton, I did serve as a lieutenant in his old division, the Hell on Wheels Second Armored Division, during the Vietnam War. As a result, I've always had a certain attraction to some of Patton's words of wisdom. I trust you will find his thoughts as valuable as I have.

While Patton was never known as a mild-mannered leader, he did believe "no one is thinking if everyone is thinking alike." While companies need consensus to move forward, it doesn't require the suppression of ideas. Instead, leadership requires the stimulation and encouragement of independent thought. The reason is simple: the more independent the thought, the more diverse the opinions, and the more likely the best solution will be found.

There is nothing wrong with creative dissent; in fact, it can actually stimulate everyone's thinking. This is why you want everyone involved in the strategic planning process; it's the only way to ensure all perspectives are covered.

Information Measurement Theory advised that subjective decisions should be avoided because they place you at risk. Patton understood this principle, as he believed in working from data in order to learn. Therefore, he was always collecting data with the aim of improving performance. Again, everyone should be involved in the strategic planning process because those in the field are the data collectors. They are the people who are in direct contact with the client and directly experiencing the impacts of the marketplace.

Without their input of data collected from the front lines, today's CEO would be attempting to provide direction while in the dark.

Never assume. Patton always tried to gather the necessary facts to avoid making decisions based upon assumptions. A colonel whose forward movement was bogged down due to bad weather came under attack from Patton. The colonel explained, "General, we cannot predict the weather. We must assume average weather conditions and plan accordingly."Patton responded, "We never assume anything is average. If we do any assuming, we will assume the worst weather."

What is important is seeking the facts, and where the facts are not available, we should assume the worst. This approach is result driven. Involving everyone in the strategic planning process emphasizes results"”not mere activity. We aren't paid for working; we are paid for results.

Patton said, "No man can do anything without knowing what he is doing . . . Generals and staff officers don't win wars! Soldiers win wars! The soldier must know what he is doing at all times. He must know the objective." His comments can be changed to reflect the facts in the construction industry: "Executives don't construct buildings! Craftsmen construct buildings! The craftsmen must know what they are building at all times. They must know the objective." Is there a better reason to justify sharing the information through the strategic planning process?

Robert Allen reported in Drive to Victory, "Patton never launched a campaign without first thoroughly exploring it with his senior commanders. He never jammed an operation down their throats. It was his practice to assemble the corps commanders in the War Room, have the planning group outline a proposed operation, and then invite the former to "˜work it over.' He encouraged free and frank discussions." So why should the CEO of a construction company do any less with his company's strategic plan?

Involving everyone in the strategic planning process makes sense for the employees, as we discussed in earlier reports, but it also makes sense from the CEO's chair because that is what effective leaders do!

 

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