"Patton’s Advice Has a Serious Flaw" Topic

"hen I was in high school and the service academy, I did what many aspiring military leaders do. I studied famous generals from history and extracted the lessons that I wanted to live and lead by. I compiled quotes from Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, Napoleon…Washington, Marshall, and Powell.

And of course, Patton. I had pages of Patton quotes. There was the "pint of sweat and gallon of blood" quote, the "good plan executed now" dictum, and "L'audace, l'audace, toujours l'audace!" But here's the quote that stuck with me the most:…"
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Amicalement
Armand

In combat, you don't have time for committee meetings to make decisions. You also don't have time to consider everyone's feelings when making command decisions. I think the gentleman writing this missed Patton's point.

Yep, doesn`t matter if you go right or left – just decided and get on with it – don`t dither…….

Trying to second guess every decision you make leads to inaction and doubt in your own abilities and this intern leads to those under you questioning your decisions themselves.

Actually, it would be surprising if a quote that meant one thing to you when you were starting a career didn't develop a new meaning as you learned more about your profession (Whatever it may be).

Parades are (meant) to be perfect. If you can achieve perfection in the chaos of war, that is actually pretty wonderful.

Just damned difficult to achieve, and therefore, really something to continually strive for.

At least, that is my take on the quote. Which is another problem: each quote will mean something different to each person who learns something from it…

Yes, I'm not sure I agree with the author. Perfectionism can have its' downside, but I have to believe that most soldiers would prefer to serve under a commander who attempts to be 'on the ball' at all times--at least in combat.

Raynman +1

Scott W. +1

Missing from the OP is the key quote that is the point of the whole discussion. To wit:

But here's the quote that stuck with me the most:

"You are always on parade."

In truth, I find that to be remarkably appropriate and sage advice for anyone who aspires to a leadership position.

Further from the article:

… But now, 20 years later, I think Patton's analogy has a serious flaw.

Embedded in Patton's quote is the idea that followers maintain a vigil of scrutiny, intolerant of mistakes and ready to discredit their leaders at the slightest slip. It feeds the belief that leaders must maintain a persona of infallibility, possessing total intellect and 100% confidence stemming from perfect experience. Vulnerability is not an option.

I would suggest that what the author is actually criticizing is not so much Patton's quote, as what he takes out from the quote. He is essentially boxing with his own shadow, not Patton's shadow.

I read the quote and come to a far more basic interpretation. If you are in a leadership role, you are always visible, to your team who marches with/behind you, and to your audience who watches.

What you do with this perspective, how it guides your behavior, is not part of the quote. The quote is only a reminder -- you are always on parade. I believe being On Parade does carry a few implications, namely that you are moving in close order drill, and (at least in modern usage -- not so sure of pre-WW2) are likely turned-out in an up-dress uniform, frequently with some ceremonial role. But the quote gives you no incremental advice on how to comport yourself while on parade. Do regulations today, or then, give substantially more meaning to "On Parade"? Because this is the issue that the author takes exception to, and devotes rest of article to addressing, with what I interpret as his own judgements of maintaining a persona of infallibility, etc.

I think "You are always on parade" is an appropriate quote and a very useful perspective today. I find it very meaningful from my own experiences in leadership positions, admittedly none of which are from military roles. Reminding yourself that your team is following your lead, marching in a drill, as it were, that is often is a part of a larger multi-team drill, and that they, and an audience, are watching your every step, is worthwhile advice.

Whether you take notice of that advice or not, you will be affected by the basic truth of it -- forget that your team is watching, that your role is to direct their part of a larger drill, or that an audience is watching, and you will find your ability to lead is compromised.

That would be my interpretation of the quote. I think it is as useful today as ever it was.

-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)

Mark hits on an important item, that is EVERY step is being watched.

It is critical as a leader to remember you are never off duty. Attend a social event with your unit, allow yourself to have a few too many, forget that as a leader your every action is being scrutinized and you diminish your standing.

Your subordinates will judge your actions, your superiors will see how you handle things and are you worthy of increased responsibility and eventual promotion and the public will make generalizations based on your conduct.

25 years as an officer taught me you indeed do need to act in your professional and personal life as if you are always on parade because you are. It may seem a bit unfair but it is what we expect from our officers and senior enlisted.

I think "You are always on parade" is an appropriate quote and a very useful perspective today.

Very much so with the media being everywhere, the access to the internet, etc. especially today. There may be someone there or on the net ready to second guess your decisions, leadership, etc.

It may seem a bit unfair but it is what we expect from our officers and senior enlisted.

As a former Infantry Officer, '79-'90, we and the senior NCOs were/are held to a higher standard so to speak. But that reminds me of the military saying, "Rank has it's privileges … And responsibilities." …

I agree with Mark 1, and others above.

I think the author is "jumping the shark" in making the assumption that "You are always on parade" means that you can't make or own up to mistakes.

That's his failing, and not Patton's.

I agree with what Mark says as far as it goes. I don't agree with much else here.

Success on the parade ground depends on properly understanding what is expected of you and your command, properly communicating it to those under you, and making sure those under you are properly prepared to carry it out. Botch any of these steps and stray from the script on a parade ground and the results could range from minor guffaws to mild embarrassment to a major fiasco for all to see.

Move away from the parade ground and its a different world. Stand up comedy is probably a better example of how to succeed in this other world than behaving as if on parade. That is my take of what the author is driving at.

However the saying wasnt "behave as if you are on the parade ground" but "You are always on parade". It is acknowledgement of the scrutiny you will always be under. In fact the commentator even links to an earlier article he wrote "You are being watched". It has nothing to do with formal parades.

When the author started to advocate that leaders be VULNERABLE I just take that as another sign that the touchy-feely, sensitive, feminine drift of our society is alive and well in the military. Naive people may think the military is immune to such influences and that the ranks are filled with a bunch of ruthless, deadly, single-minded individuals lusting for battle, but that just ain't so.

As a career NCO I was acutely aware of my position and tried my damnedest to set a good example and to do the right thing. Not always possible of course, but always the goal.

And when dealing with my superiors, when the chips were down I wanted a firm decision from them, I didn't want to have to give them a hug.