George Armstrong Custer

George Armstrong Custer
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George Armstrong Custer
Leadership can be projected in varying ways. For example, leadership can be expressed as an inbuilt gift that influences a person to identify issues and immediately develop a remedy for them (Bryman, 2013). Secondly, leadership is a system that enables the capability of having the humility to care for the staff as a first priority so that they can be productive. Thirdly, leadership is a selfless act of serving other individuals that also incorporates serving staffs. Lastly, the concept of leadership requires an individual to have vast experience on the ins and out of his firm so that implementing the strategic goal of business can be effective (Bryman, 2013). In short, leadership principles are based on activities such as facilitating, motivating, ruling, and inspiring of other individuals in the quest to implement a common goal. Therefore, an effective leader should exhibit such qualities (Bryman, 2013). George Armstrong Custer is a perfect character in the study of strategic leadership and he suit to be a role model in the same field. For instance, he was an ability to showcase audacity and bravery. These are the qualities needed in strategic leadership.
From historical content, George Armstrong Custer is always my role model in issues pertaining to leadership. George Armstrong was popular in the civil war era. His leadership profile increased within the Union army due to its ability to showcase audacity and bravery.

Even though various people have described George as a foolhardy, reckless, aggressive, and gallant, his leadership was able to guarantee success for the Union army. George showed bravery when he wrote a letter to his sister describing his mission with the 5th Cavalry as one the best exciting sport he has ever done (Custer and Custer, 1987). In that mission, they killed many rebels and it is there he first killed a man. For many people, their first time in combat is always faced with tension and fearful response behaviors that are influenced by anxiety. However, George seemed to enjoy it and even termed it as an exciting sport (Custer and Custer, 1987). This shows that George had the audacity and bravery that is always required for any effective leader. As a leader, it is significant to show bravery so that employees can respect and admire your leadership skills. The quality of bravery inspires many people, and that is why I prefer George`s system of leadership.
Consequently, the concept of leadership requires an individual to have vast experience on the ins and out of his firm so that implementing the strategic goal of business can be effective. In academics, George was poor. For example, he graduated at the last position in his class at West Point. According to his classmate, he was considered libidinous, profane, and alcoholic (Kensey, 2004). But he luckily joined the army. The civil war required many men for combat purpose, and they were recruiting people with many restrictions. Hence, George managed to benefit from this system. In the army, he happened to project a significant experience in issues of topography. These skills enabled him to match his army through strategic routes during the war (Kensey, 2004). In short, he had a great sense of direction that enabled him to locate practical paths for the army to use.
In Cedar Creek and Third Winchester battle, George managed to draft an aggressive based tactical plan that guaranteed him victory over Jubal Early army in 1864 (Kensey, 2004). This emphasizes the fact that leaders are required to have a conclusive knowledge of their playground. George was poor in academics but was perfect in direction sense and tactical plans that were needed to win a war. Therefore, managers should have experience in the industry they want to venture in so that they can be successful like George in battle.
Contrarily, George was a risk-taker and always showed his college he was selfless. In the Peninsula Campaign, where he served as an officer to General John G. Barnard, and upon reaching the Chickahominy River the army started debating on how they would cross the river (Custer and Custer, 1987). However, George decided to ride across the river on his horse back in the quest to establish the depth of the river. In short, his action showed that he was a risk-taker and a selfless servant for his people. Leadership is a selfless act of serving other individuals that also incorporates the staff team (Bryman, 2013). George managed to show this when he risked his life to cross the river, ignoring the fact of alligators or high depths of the river. The more risks someone takes for a team, the more the team will trust and depend on him or her on leadership issues. Therefore it is upon a leader to establish selflessness and bravery.
In conclusion, George’s leadership ability guaranteed them victory over their enemies, and this ensured the Union army won the war. His tactical skills and ability to identify directions ensured their team had an up hand in the war. However, George`s quality of being a risk taker made him participate in the Winfield Hancock`s show, and this was against Cheyenne and Sioux order (Kensey, 2004). This action made him face the court-martial, and he was eventually dismissed from duty. Therefore, he became a prominent person through his leadership personality even after his death. For instance, he was regarded as one of the most effective and controversial leaders in the civil war era. Dispute his negative attributes, his leadership skills were effective, and that is why he is my preferred role model.
References
Bryman, A. (Ed.). (2013). Leadership and organizations. Routledge
Custer, G. A., & Custer, E. B. (1987). The Custer story: the life and intimate letters of General George A. Custer and his wife, Elizabeth. M. Merington (Ed.). U of Nebraska Press.
Kensey Paul.(2004). George Armstrong Custer: American Hero or Just a Fool?
Retrieved from. http://www.americancivilwar.asn.au/meet/2004_04_mtg_custer.pdf