1942

I found it very interesting that several of the successful leaders in these readings like many others we have learned about were not necessarily groomed to be strong leaders, but thier personalities guided them into these positions. General Bernard Law Montgomery was a relatively unknown British comander who used his understanding of soldiers and high energy to force success for his side. America's Eisenhower used his hard work and unique personality to work his way up and into success. Germany's Manstein had been protege, but it was his brilliance and ambition that helped him succeed and acheive promotions. These are just a few examples of interesting people I saw in the reading. What was interesting about them was that they had not been very successful before their acheivements in North Africa or in the East. These individuals may not have gotten the positions they were after, there was not a definate sign that they were headed for greatness, and very successful leaders did not take them under their wing to learn how to be great. I wonder what it was that made these leaders successful or great or victorious.

Was it just luck? Could it have been thier personalities and determination despite their very different attitudes? Or is there more than the reading lets us know? And was there a path and signs that these men and others like them would be great? Maybe they had advantages that other leaders did not have? War is strange, it could have made these men rise to the occasion or circumstances!