While serving as the Allied Commander in North Africa and subsequent operations in the Mediterranean, Eisenhower demonstrates legitimate and referent power in the leadership of his multi-national command team while navigating through complex issues impacting the overall command climate.
When discussing the topic of “power”, one must understand that this can come from a position the individual holds and/or personal relationships that one has with their peers and subordinates. In the case of General Eisenhower, he demonstrates both at times during his time in the Mediterranean and in Europe. Legitimate power “springs from one’s role or position” within the organization and referent power comes from when “others admire them, identify with them, or even see them as role models.”
Eisenhower was placed in the position as Supreme Allied Commander where “there was no manual or precedent” that “could consult on how to …show more content…
Patton joined Eisenhower in 1942 in London and commanded U.S. troops in the invasion of Casablanca during Operation Torch. Patton was a proven leader that got results, but had tendencies that got him in how water with Ike on many occasions. One example of how much Patton respected Eisenhower was when he wrote in his diary that “I owe him a lot and must stay in with him…I know of no one except myself who could do any better than Ike, and God knows I don’t want his job.” Ike demonstrated his legitimate power as the Supreme Allied Commander when he kept Patton on the battlefield after his infamous “slapping” incident with two Soldiers that led to a barrage of unsolicited negative press from reporters, military personnel and politicians. He “had to make his primary consideration the best interests of the U. S. Army” and that “meant retaining Patton” to achieve the victory over the Axis that Eisenhower was ultimately focused
When discussing the topic of “power”, one must understand that this can come from a position the individual holds and/or personal relationships that one has with their peers and subordinates. In the case of General Eisenhower, he demonstrates both at times during his time in the Mediterranean and in Europe. Legitimate power “springs from one’s role or position” within the organization and referent power comes from when “others admire them, identify with them, or even see them as role models.”
Eisenhower was placed in the position as Supreme Allied Commander where “there was no manual or precedent” that “could consult on how to …show more content…
Patton joined Eisenhower in 1942 in London and commanded U.S. troops in the invasion of Casablanca during Operation Torch. Patton was a proven leader that got results, but had tendencies that got him in how water with Ike on many occasions. One example of how much Patton respected Eisenhower was when he wrote in his diary that “I owe him a lot and must stay in with him…I know of no one except myself who could do any better than Ike, and God knows I don’t want his job.” Ike demonstrated his legitimate power as the Supreme Allied Commander when he kept Patton on the battlefield after his infamous “slapping” incident with two Soldiers that led to a barrage of unsolicited negative press from reporters, military personnel and politicians. He “had to make his primary consideration the best interests of the U. S. Army” and that “meant retaining Patton” to achieve the victory over the Axis that Eisenhower was ultimately focused