Jena, Germany is a great University city as well as the home of Zeiss Optical Systems. This community was home to the first planetarium  in 1926 created by Zeiss whose slogan was; “We make it visible!” Being able to see clearly and far is a trade-mark of the city. However, October 14, 1806 was a day when visibility was the key issue.

Napolean Bonaparte defeated the much larger force of King William III of Prussia. The battle of Jena-Auerstedt is studied still to this day. The Prussians learned a new leadership model from this stinging defeat called Auftragstaktik – establish INTENT, DELEGATE to others, and SUPERVISE appropriately – COMMUNICATE often!

What modern day lessons can be learned from Auftragstaktik in 1810. There are at least five lessons that can be applied to today’s leaders. Author Kevin Murray’s insights from The Language of Leaders is quite helpful here. Auftragstaktik teaches:

1. You have to be crystal clear about your missional purposes. These purposes must be communicated to everyone up, down, and laterally within the organization often.
2. Everyone within the organization must have a shared vision for leadership. The more leaders that you create the greater chances you have for success.
3. These leaders must not only be clear about the goals but they must be clear about their own goals and how achieving them fits into the overall organizational goal strategy. Individual goals must align with the greater good of the corporate strategy. These leaders should be encouraged to write out their plan and live that plan daily.
4. These leaders must have a situational awareness of what people are going to do above, below, and laterally. As a plan unfolds they must have a good understanding of how things are developing and what is needed to improve performance.
5. Leaders have to show great courage and character to earn the right to lead and they must stand up for what they truly believe.

The agility of Napoleon’s forces made all the difference in winning a great victory. Flexibility, agility, and clear communication is rewarded with victory. Remember the speed of the leader equals the speed of the team.

Share your comments – let’s begin  dialogue of leadership communication and its importance.