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Overland Campaign Offers Leadership Lessons
Throughout the spring of 1864, General Robert E. Lee and General Ulysses S. Grant met on the battlefields of Virginia to wage the most momentous and destructive military campaign ever on U.S. soil. A series of titanic clashes, the Overland Campaign would put each commander's skills and very character to the test, while deciding the outcome of the Civil War. Here, excerpted from the book Lee and Grant: Profiles in Leadership from the Battlefields of Virginia by Major Charles R. Bowery Jr. (Amacom 2004), are a few hard-fought leadership lessons from their epic face-off:May 4-6, 1864: The Battle of the Wilderness. The Union forces set out to turn the tables on their foe with a large, seasoned staffincluding General George Meade and his Army of the Potomacand a solid plan. In contrast. Lee had a mere three officers to handle the myriad tasks of army command. Still, the Confederate general was determined to fight on his own termsin the woods and lowlands. The Overland Campaign began with tragic mistakes on both sides. Grant's adherence to the plan, over the objections of corps commanders, led his troops directly to Lee's chosen battleground. Lee's reluctance to empower a larger staff wound up demoralizing his troops. By staying calm under fire and reassessing their crisis situations, both leaders prevailed to fight again.Leadership Lessons: If you suffer an initial setback, take a deep breath and give your team some time to work it out. Don't let faulty assumptions continue to dominate your thinking.May 9-12,1984: The Battle of Spotsylvania. While the Wilderness exposed both Lee and Grant to a kind of fighting new in its ferocity, Spotsylvania brought each man unexpected organizational challenges. Grant faced internal clashes, even among his high command. Generals George Meade and Philip Sheridan. Lee faced the reality of a severely wounded lieutenant, James Longstreet. and the politics of promotion. Ultimately, both commanders relied on a combination of direct orders and delegation to lead their changing armies.Leadership Lessons: Leadership depends on a dear understanding of your subordinates, and of your own abilities and shortcomings. Flexibility is the cornerstone of effective leadership.May 31-June 7: The Battle of Cold Harbor. Fraught with communication failures and personnel problems, the Overland Campaign culminated with the North's surrender and heavy casualties on both sides. Grant's gravest mistake was underestimating the fighting power of Lee's army. The Union leader, however, kept a larger strategic truth in mind. Grant rebounded to move his entire force south of the James River and target the vital rail and industrial center at Petersburg, where he ultimately won the war.Leadership Lessons: Beware of over confidence. Distinguish between reverse and defeat. If you truly believe in the tightness of your plan, stay the course.This article is new this week in The Business Journal's small business how-to section. To see what else is new, click here or click on the "how-to" tab at the top of The Daily Business Journal Online home page."