Leadership Coaching at Gettysburg

The Battle of Gettysburg is one of the most important events in U.S. history. This is a battle in which they were taken more lives than any other battle in North America. In this small farming community in 1863, George Meade's Union army composed of 90,000 troops met Robert Lee's Confederate Army of 75,000. We can read volumes of literature and accounts of heroes, leaders, front-line soldiers and others directly and indirectly affected by the event. Certainly there are incredible leadership coaching and other life lessons from these men and women and strategic events that have become the crucial turning point in the Civil War.

The morning of the first day of the three-day battle, Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain was faced with an opportunity for coaching and influence. As the sun was above the horizon, Joshua L. Chamberlain in front of a group of tired soldiers from the Second Brigade, Maine. At that point, these men had participated in a heavy battle for weeks and have been looking for mutiny. However, because of the number of victims before Gettysburg, their service at this time was in desperate need. Chamberlain explained that he had been instructed to "order" these men to join the brigade or would be shot. However, he calmly informed the troops that did not intend to follow these instructions. He acknowledged their suffering, and then explained the need for their military service and the role they could play. Chamberlain eloquently proceeded to instill a new target for these men, helping them to remember why they were involved and it was originally inserted. He referred to their comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice. He sought their commitment to move forward with conviction. "If you lose, you lose the war if you join us, be grateful." Finally, he proposed a strong idea: "Join us", and if so, the situation (the Mutiny) not be revisited. If they chose not to join, you seek fair treatment in their favor. "We are moving out," he concluded, and gave them the opportunity to reflect and determine where their efforts would be lying.

Shortly after, as the brigade began to Gettysburg Chamberlain wondered if people would follow his lead. As it turned out, one hundred and fourteen soldiers, who had initially planned to mutiny), followed this leader instrumental in battle. All but six men were awakened and committed. The rest went to making history in the crucial defense of "Little Round Top" at Gettysburg.

The coaching effective leadership and influence is not a fad. It is a proven technique that has stood the test of time. Although terminology and external environments can change, the concept is the same, people are a valuable resource and can be influenced. Looking back on the experience of Chamberlain, six men did the commitment, and in some cases leadership coaching does not always work perfectly. However, as we face crucial battles modern and groped to build strong organizations, making the effort of the coach is always worth the investment. There are many other cases in history when great leaders used some kind of coaching or influence. As leaders of today, we face similar challenges that require commitment and sacrifice that comes only from a strong partnership with the people. It 's true today as it was then that "A leader can not achieve excellence through relationships with others." ......