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Eisenhower on Leadership
Book

Eisenhower on Leadership

Ike's Enduring Lessons in Total Victory Management

Alan Axelrod
Jossey-Bass, 2006

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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Well Structured
  • Inspiring

Recommendation

U.S. Army General Dwight David Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander of Allied forces in Europe during World War II. A brilliant strategist and an expert in logistics and organization, Eisenhower planned Operation Overlord, the successful 1944 invasion of Europe by way of the English Channel. D-Day remains history’s largest amphibious assault. In 1945, at the height of his military power, Eisenhower commanded more than four million troops from five different nations. He functioned as a manager of managers, directing all military activities in Europe. He was, in effect, the “CEO” of the war in Europe – and indeed, in a letter to Lord Louis Mountbatten of Britain, Eisenhower described his role of Supreme Commander as that of a “chairman of a board.” How he successfully planned and coordinated the Allied military effort is the subject of this fascinating military history cum informative treatise on management by business writer Alan Axelrod. Axelrod applies Ike’s down-to-earth thinking to the management of organizations, people or important projects in a series of lessons – 232 of them, to be exact. This long, unprioritized list is more than most readers can really absorb. Nevertheless, getAbstract suggests that managers who want to learn what inspired, successful leadership truly means study this history of the European conflict from the uniquely informed perspective of Eisenhower, the ultimate insider.

Take-Aways

  • General Eisenhower’s position as Supreme Allied Commander during World War II was based not on law but on the approval of the generals under his command.
  • He did not lead troops but instead planned, prioritized and coordinated all Allied military activities in Europe.
  • He always tried to achieve the best outcome with the fewest resources.

About the Author

Alan Axelrod, a former English professor, is the author of two bestsellers, Patton on Leadership and Elizabeth I, CEO, and more than 60 other books on management and business topics.

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