Eisenhower on Leadership

In World War II, General Dwight D. Eisenhower commanded the Allied Forces. He oversaw D-Day. Later, he was president of the United States.

Eisenhower knew something about being a leader. And he could be blunt in his definitions. He said: "You do not lead by hitting people over the head—that's assault, not leadership."

Eisenhower sent hundreds of thousands of troops into battle. He said, "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done—because he wants to do it."

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. Think about the people who have most influenced your life. Did they bully you? Or were their ideas and actions worth following? It's the high calling of our daily work.

...Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21)

Image by the U.S. Army. "Dwight Eisenhower giving orders to American paratroopers in England." 1944 June 6. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress

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• genuine leadership