Dwight Eisenhower and soft power

Joseph S. Nye, the author of The Powers to Lead, argues that soft power rests on getting results using influence, so that others want to do what you want them to do. Soft power appeals and invites. Those who use soft power are skillful at communication. They use leadership to persuade. Dwight Eisenhower is an example of a leader who used soft power to achieve his goals.

During World War II, Eisenhower sent a letter to his outspoken friend George Patton. Eisenhower used soft power by attempting to make Patton realize he should use more tact and discretion in his speech. Eisenhower stated: “My advice is … (if you want it) merely the old saw to ‘count to ten before you speak.’ This applies not only to criticism of allies, a subject on which I am adamant, but to many others.” Eisenhower referred to a proverb that states, “Keep silent and appear stupid; open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Yet Eisenhower showed soft power by stating, “I do not mean that this applies to you, as you damn well know, but I do mean that a certain sphinx-like quality upon occasion will do one hell of a lot toward enhancing one’s reputation.” Eisenhower did his best to convince Patton to watch his tongue without commanding him to do so.

Eisenhower used a soft-power approach in politics, too. He is known for his use of the middle way. As a leader, he had important issues to decide. However, most people’s views on the issues were extreme and in opposition. Eisenhower made it his practice to seek out and advocate for the compromise in the middle. His middle-way approach made him reject the idea that government should excessively control the lives of people. He thought the U.S. should not push further into the socialistic experiment because he also wanted citizens to have their own initiative to make a better future for their children. At the same time, he would not reject useful government services to advance the economy. 

Eisenhower’s soft-power approach came under scrutiny when it came to civil rights. Critics thought there was no middle ground when it came to civil rights. As Jim New writes, “Eisenhower’s reluctance to force a confrontation also reflected his instinctive desire to move slowly and with bipartisan support, especially in this area.”

Growing up, Eisenhower was the middle child of six boys. As a middle child, his use of a soft power approach was not surprising. Middle children are known for achieving diplomatic cooperation. Overall, Eisenhower was able to use soft power to lead the U.S. in World War II and as president.

George Patton and hard power

According to Nye, hard power rests on “inducements (carrots) and threats (sticks).” Hard power uses coercion and intimidation. Those who use hard power raise up or tear down to motivate followers. George Patton is an example of a leader who used hard power to achieve his goals.

During World War I, young Patton sent a letter to his wife recounting a battle scene. Patton and his soldiers were digging a trench under fire. A soldier, in defiance of Patton’s command, refused to work. Patton was so infuriated that he hit the soldier over the head with a shovel, and he confessed in the letter that he had possibly killed the man. Patton’s letter quickly moved on from the possible homicide to other topics without acknowledging any wrongdoing or significance.

In World War II, Patton continued using hard power in negative ways. Once, when he visited a hospital to encourage troops, he encountered soldier Charles H. Kuhl, who was shaking. Patton insulted Kuhl and tossed him out of the hospital by clutching his neck. Not long after this, Patton had a run-in with soldier Paul G. Bennett, who was also shaking. Patton cursed him out and slapped him several times. Patton openly considered putting him before a firing squad. Patton was recorded saying, “I ought to shoot you myself, you goddamned whimpering coward.” Patton was reprimanded by Eisenhower for the injustice. Later, in a letter, Patton admitted his “method was too forthright” and explained that Eisenhower had correctly pointed out the negative effect of his actions. However, in the same letter he described one of the men he victimized as a cur and a coward.

Despite Patton’s misuse of hard power, he also used it successfully in his military career. In World War II, Patton used the Third Army to aggressively engage and overcome the German military. Patton’s strong bias toward action, coupled with the Allied Forces’ superior airpower, allowed him to use tank warfare to gain decisive victories. Patton once said, “No one realizes the terrible value of the unforgiving minute except me.” 

Patton also wanted to use the military might of the Allied Forces against the Soviet Union, to the dismay of U.S. and Soviet leadership. He was planning a speaking tour in the U.S. to encourage a war with the Soviet Union upon his return from Europe. As a result, some historians speculate that Patton was actually murdered by the Soviet Union. However, overall, Patton was able to use hard power to win military victories and advance the cause of the Allied Forces in World War II.

Summary

In police administration, the importance of soft power cannot be overstated. Hard power will only be effective in rare situations, and when used incorrectly, it can have negative consequences. Soft power is a go-to strategy for leaders to achieve a variety of goals. Such goals include building trust, creating collaboration and achieving long-term success. As leaders in police administration, we must understand the value of soft power and how to use it effectively. Soft power helps us invest in our relationships, build credibility, foster a sense of community, and create a positive and supportive environment for our employees and community. In sum, soft power helps create lasting change that will benefit our institutions and our society as a whole.

References

Barnett, J.R. (1998, Winter). Great soldiers on airpower. Airpower Journal, 12. Retrieved from airuniversity.af.edu.

Brown, R.K. (2012, Spring/Summer). Advance and Destroy: Patton as commander in the bulge. Journal of America’s Military Past, 37, 99–100. Retrieved from campjamp.org/publications.

Newton, J. (2011). Eisenhower: The White House Years. N.Y.: Doubleday.

Nye, J.S. (2008). The Powers to Lead. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

O’Reilly, B., and Dugard, M. (2014). Killing Patton: The Strange Death of World War II’s Most Audacious General. N.Y.: Holt.

Patton Jr., G.S. (November 1943). Correspondence. Patton Papers (Letters of November 25 and 27, box 11).

Patton Jr., G.S. (1983). War as I Knew It: The Battle Memoirs of “Blood and Guts.” N.Y.: Bantam.

Perlin, M., and Grater, H. (1984, March). The relationship between birth order and reported interpersonal behavior. The Journal of Adlerian Theory, 40. Retrieved from alfredadler.org/journal-of-ip.