Battle of Gettysburg Leadership Lessons

Our battlefield leadership program focuses on individual leaders in the Battle of Gettysburg and the impact they had on the preparation, outcome and aftermath of the extraordinary events that shaped our history.  Were they ready when their test came? Could they have performed better? How so? What actions or failures contributed to victory or defeat and leadership skills and lessons can we learn from their experiences and apply in our own lives and professions. Below are a few examples of case studies that will be used during your instruction.

 

President Abraham Lincoln was able to create and maintain a diverse, talented and ambitious group of subordinates working towards a common goal.

  • What were the secrets of his success?
  • What skills and virtues did he have and how did he prepare for the tests he faced as President?
  • What were his weaknesses and did those prolong the war longer than needed?
  • How did he deal with tragedy and success?
  • How did he get the most out of his Team?

Lets discover together the answers to these and many other questions that we can apply directly into our personal leadership toolbox. 

General Robert E. Lee took full responsibility after the failure of Picket’s Charge

  • How did he maintain the confidence of the army and its leaders?
  • Why was he retained as the Commanding General of the Army of Northern Virginia?
  • What character traits did he have that enabled him to recover and continue to lead?
  • How did he deal with leaders who performed poorly?
  • Did he lose confidence in his own ability to lead the army?
  • Did he lose confidence in the army itself?
Book one of our open enrollment programs opens in a new tab

General JEB Stuart’s ride around the Union Army during the Gettysburg campaign provides fertile ground for lessons today

  • What happens when the priority of our mission is subordinated to worthwhile goals of lesser priority that are more personally motivated?
  • What are the consequences when a commanders intent is not fully understood or not strictly adhered to?
  • What is the cost of not being where you need to be when you need to be there?
  • What is the proper balance between giving a subordinate wide discretion and micromanaging?
  • What role does trust play and is it recoverable once lost?  If yes, how?

Colonel Chamberlain at the Surrender
What can Chamberlain teach us about being committed to a cause yet emphathetic to the enemy and magnanimous in victory?

General Stonewall at His Greatest Moment
How do we instill confidence in our superiors and subordinates? What lessons can we glean from Lee’s and Stonewalls relationship?

General Buford in His Glory
What does Buford teach us regarding picking the place to stand and fight and having the confidence on one’s superiors? What does he teach us about the proper mixture of competence and confidence?

General Lee in Parlor Making the Hard Decision
How do we make the hard decisions in our own lives and how do priority of principles come into play?

Colonel Chamberlain at Little Round Top
How did Chamberlain prepare his men for their time of trial? How did he prepare himself?