29 – LEADERSHIP AT EVERY LEVEL
During World War II General (Five Star) Dwight D Eisenhower (Ike) served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe. This included the build-up to and the execution of the D-day landings on 6 June 1944 and the massive operations that led to the liberation of Europe and the end of the war in 1945. In 1953, he became the 34th President of the USA and led through the post-war rebuilding of the USA and the management of tensions during the Cold War.
He was an extremely popular and very successful commander and there is no doubt that he understood the link between leadership and ethics. This quotation of his is a brilliant example of his wisdom!
“The supreme quality of leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army or in an office.”
He understood that everyone in the team has to share the same vision and mission and that the role that leaders at all levels play is critical.