Leadership Makes a Difference: Nimitz and the Battle of Midway.
Abstract
Despite overwhelming odds, it is often the operational commander's qualitative leadership that decides the outcome of a major operation or campaign. Through showing such traits as vision and courage during the planning phase, the operational commander establishes the unity of effort necessary to achieve theater objectives. Despite technologies available to military leaders today, qualitative leadership is as relevant today as during the Second World War. To illustrate this point, a historical study looks at Admiral Chester W. Nimitz' operational leadership during the planning phase for the Battle of Midway. Examples include how Nimitz selected and sold his objectives; chose and supported his subordinates; took risks in assigning forces; planned and executed command, control, and communications; and developed a team committed to his vision through the planning process. The conclusion is that Nimitz qualitative leadership was central to the Battle of Midway being the decisive Pacific War battle that enabled the United States to shift to the offensive. This study is relevant for current and future operations and campaigns since today's military tends to focus on technological advances to the detriment of valuing qualitative leadership in operational commanders.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 06, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA307583
Entities
People
- Marcia Van Wye
Organizations
- Naval War College