Ineffective and Effective Leadership Styles :: Leadership

Countless books and articles have been written about leaders, who made decisions that played significant effects on our country and the world. Leaders from the military, business world and sports have all played crucial impacts on the way we live our lives. Their legacy’s live on in giving others the inspirational and motivational drive to become great leaders. One of the most influential and highly regarded leaders during World War II (WWII) and the Korean War was General Matthew Bunker Ridgway. Ridgway was a man who made countless sacrifices in order to prevent future impeding conditions. In 1928 he anticipated being on the Army’s pentathlon team to compete in the Summer Olympic Games in Amsterdam, but decided it was more important to prepare himself in becoming a better leader. "I could not reject so bright an opportunity to prepare myself for any military-diplomatic role that the future might offer," according to Patterson (2006). By the time WWII had begun Ridgway was a Brigadier General in command of the, newly developed, 82ND Airborne Division. He did a combat jump, jumping out of a plane by parachute, with his troops into battle on June 6, 1944, which happened to be Normandy according to Patterson (2006). Afterwards, he was awarded his second Distinguished Service Cross for his actions. According to Headquarters, First U.S. Army (1944) the citation states â€Å"Major General Ridgway jumped by parachute at approximately 0200 prior to the dawn of "D" Day and landed about 3/4 mile northeast of *****, France, to spearhead the parachute landing assault of his Airborne Division on the ****. Throughout "D" Day, he visited every point in the then surrounded area in order to evaluate the opposition and to encourage his men. He penetrated to the front of every active sector without thought of the personal danger involved. He exposed himself continuously to small arms, mortar and artillery fire; as, by his presence and through words of encouragement, he greatly assisted and personally directed the operations of one of his battalions in the important task of securing the bridgehead across the ***** River, which required a frontal assault against strongly entrenched enemy positions. His persona l bravery and his heroism were deciding factors in the success of his unit in France. Major General Ridgway's gallant leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.