[March 18, 2022] I remember reading a book when I was a mere 17 years old. I thought it would be boring, but I was wrong. Titled “A Soldier’s Story,” it was a behind-the-scenes eyewitness account of WWII. Written by U.S. Army General Omar Bradley, known to us all as the Soldiers’ General, his story is the story of war in the world’s most brutal battle over evil.1
The U.S. Army War College has a short article out on him, and the author has rightly described Gen. Bradley as a man who “learned and honed his leadership skill by watching superior officers – good and bad – for traits to emulate or avoid.”2 Sounds like something I might say.
“Leadership is intangible, and therefore no weapon ever designed can replace it.” – U.S. Army General Omar N. Bradley
Gen. Bradley was unique among his WWII peers. He was reserved, analytical, and egalitarian compared to his peers, who were bombastic, instinctive, and autocratic. This “poor” kid from Missouri would become known as the “G.I. General” and eventually the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs as he upheld the model of servant leadership.
“Bradley was an unassuming leader who was polite, courteous, and collaborative. He was popular with subordinates and peers alike, for not only his human understanding and consideration of their needs, but also his humility.” – Lt Cdr Todd Moulton, U.S. Navy
Lt Cdr Moulton is saying that there are forms of leadership style that do not stop at the stereotypical autocratic, charismatic that we most often witness. But Bradley possesses some of the required common traits like loyalty, dependability, courage, trust in subordinates, thinking outside-the-box, and making timely decisions.
Bradley understood the necessity to grow his people in leadership, build a community within his commands, and exercise foresight. One of his primary goals was to unleash his team’s talent to solve problems.
“Bradley often let subordinates brief plans for major actions, interjecting only if they got the enemy’s disposition or strength wrong. He avoided embarrassing them because he knew if he focused on their weaknesses, they would lose confidence and become less useful to the war effort.” – Lt Cdr Todd Moulton, U.S. Navy
Gen. Bradley sought to develop his soldiers’ leadership abilities with the understanding they would be tomorrow’s commanders. His leadership style was a radical shift in the way modern American society views successful leadership.
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- I’d picked up a hardbound used copy in a local bookstore in Abilene, Texas, while preparing for college. I was interested in the qualities of successful military men, and a good friend recommended the book to me. I’m glad he did. I cherish the book today and occasionally open it and read a page or two at random. Great thinking can be found on these pages. Perhaps, someday, I will do a book review.
- Todd Moulton is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy and an intelligence planner at U.S. Second Fleet. He is also an Information Warfare (I.W.) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI). He is a graduate of the Air University, National Intelligence University, Seton Hall University, and the University of Michigan.
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Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” at Amazon (link here).
Great soldier, we were lucky to have him on our side.
When I was growing up in the 1980s people spoke of the great Generals and Admirals of WWII and Korea. Gen Omar Bradley was not among them and I always wondered why. Now I think I know. Bradley was not as outgoing as the likes of Patton or MacArthur.
An American General, like so many of the world’s great men. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
You got that right Gunther 1965. Yo da man! To see this is to see what leadership is about and it can come in many forms. Someone, probably a psychologist, said that the kind of personality associated with leadership varies greatly and that is why we see so many varieties. Good for us that it is not all the same…. boring, nope.
Appreciate the fact that the US Army War College is also referenced here. Any one can go to their website and read about leadership. That is a real gem for those who want more.
Good thing we have Gen. Satterfield and his website to read. Thanks to all who are regular contributors to the leadership forum. I learn more here (and of course with Gen. S.) than any other website I read. And I read a lot of them.
Yep, great comments today.
Today, more good stuff from the mind of Gen. S. Great job. Another feather in the cap of this website that we are highlighting an army general who was greatly accomplished and did so with a mild mannered personality.
The main job of a leader is to train more leaders. Nuff said.
Got that right and I think that is why Gen. Satterfield gives us these daily snippets of leadership. It is his way, after retiring, to put a little leadership in our brains each day. Read his blog, buy his book, and for heaven’s sake, think for yourself. And, above all, don’t be friggin lazy. Get your butt up off the couch.
POW! Thanks, old warrior, you never disappoint. 😊😊😊😊😊
I am constantly amazed by these articles here in https://www.theleadermaker.com. Gen. Satterfield gives us all this info and without popup ads or trying to sell us anything. That is why I bought his book.
“I cherish the book today and occasionally open it and read a page or two at random. Great thinking can be found on these pages. Perhaps, someday, I will do a book review.” This is what got me to order Gen. Bradley’s book, ‘A Soldier’s Story.’ One of the great books of the 20th century.
The 20th century was a time of great destruction; more than we today can imagine. This book by Gen. Bradley helps put the pieces together on what happened in some of the major theaters of war. Get the book, read it, and then try to understand how this man was able to accomplish so much.
Omar Bradley has been known for a long time to have a leadership style that varies seriously from the outgoing charismatic style of most military leaders. It is worth studying it. The US Army war college, as Gen. Satterfield points out, is doing a series on Gen. Bradley and it would be helpful for us to read about this WW2 general. Find out what makes successful people successful. I can tell you it is not because someone gave them something. They earned it all.
Yes! Read it, study it, think about it. Use those words to inform yourself. There is nothing worse than a mind that is lazy and unwilling to improve. People have a tendency to be lazy. Get off your butt and do something. This one is easy, read the book.
Yep, don’t even have to think about it. READ….👍
Great man, Gen. Bradley. I heard stories of him growing up in Missouri. He is a local hero.
Read great books!
Recommendations:
1. Buy Gen. Omar Bradley’s book “A Soldier’s Story”
2. Buy Gen. Doug Satterfield’s book “Our Longest Year in Iraq”
You wont’ be disappointed in either.
Got my copies long ago of Gen. Bradley’s book and read it twice. Now, sitting on my desk is Gen. Satterfield’s new book, ‘Our Longest Year in Iraq.’ I was there. And, I will tell you Gen. Satterfield nails it.
… and I have a copy of the book written by Gen. Satterfield. I enjoyed every page of ‘Our Longest Year in Iraq.’ Go to Amazon and get it NOW. Here is the link. Don’t be lazy!
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/
Got it, thanks. I’m buying both books off Amazon (as much as I don’t like Amazon’s book banning policies).