Certainly, as Buchanan reports, "it is
also a measure of his leadership that in all the actions in which we have
observed him his militia performed like seasoned regulars." (Buchanan, 190)
This relationship between leader and organizational members is an expected
demand of the military.
Perhaps more surprising and pleasing with consideration of unique
anecdotal detail of the Buchanan text is the core competency listed by the
military requiring "the ability to operate in an environment, encompassing
higher and lower command structures, and using one's influence outside the
traditional chain of command." (DoA, 67) This means that a leader is
expected even such formally and bureaucratically impacted contexts to hold
a certain degree of freedom extended from his own unique insights and
skills. That is to denote that the mere quality of being a leader is often
justification for one to appeal to his ingenuity. Given the unprecedented
nature of the siege on the Carolinas which ultimately failed the British in
their broader ambition of preserving authority in the colonies, it may said
that Cornwallis would have to possess this capacity for tactical
innovation. In a certain respect, the Buchanan text reveals to us a
proclivity toward such in his military upbringing. In this regard, it is
said that he was...
For as the various and prodigious tasks
intended to carry the British effort met with failure or disappointment,
his ambition, influence and creativity would be crucial forces to retaining
a struggling effort. Regrouping, retooling and leading in the face of
insurmountable odds all are qualities essential to effective leadership,
particularly in the military context where setbacks and adversity are an
everyday part of the job.
Works Cited
Buchanan, J. (1999). The road to Guilford Courthouse: The American
Revolution in the Carolinas. Wiley.
Department of the Army (DoA). (2006). Army Leadership: Competent,
Confident, and Agile (FM6-22). Defense Link. Online at
http://www.defenselink.mil/Blogfiles/Blogassets/20080422ColReiderfieldma
nual.pdf
