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Robert E. Lee and Effective Leadership


Through his subordinate leadership, Lee built a trusting relationship with President Davis. Davis eventually transferred Joseph E. Johnson's field command position to Lee. Lee's success in eventually being given an increasingly independent field command was due to one of the paradoxes of his lessons on leadership: a good leader is a good subordinate (Crocker, 2000). Lee had gained not only President Davis's trust, but also his respect. This relationship contributed to Lee's ability to create a vision for his Army of Northern Virginia and to execute it with the freedom that this relationship earned him. Lee would later delegate this type of freedom to his commanders to carry out tasks to reach their shared goals. This is an important relationship for leaders to understand. The best subordinates are those that a leader can trust and give the freedom to make their own decisions in given situations. Lee was a good warrior because of his utmost confidence as a leader. He trusted his men and was sure they shared his vision. He would embrace the plans of his subordinates regardless of the risk it may put him in as their leader. This trusting relationship between leader and subordinate is extremely important in the success of reaching one's vision (McPherson, 2010). .
             Stonewall Jackson's plans were often described as audacious and even mad, but Lee trusted Stonewall and the decisions he made. Lee knew that "megalomania, egotism, executive interference, and micromanagement " were hindrances to effective leadership "People matter, individuals matter; no system, however well-oiled, and no leader however Omni-competent, can afford to ignore the importance of personnel " (Crocker, 2000) ". Lee practiced leading this way on the battlefield daily. Leaders should understand and utilize this concept in all organizations. A leader must be able to delegate tasks to trusted subordinates. Understanding the different, important qualities each employee possesses and making the most of those qualities is crucial in the delegation of tasks and running a successful organization.


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