Honoring D-Day: Leadership Lessons from General Eisenhower

Eighty-one years ago, Allied Forces stormed the beaches at Normandy in France and had parachuted the night before all over the region to disrupt enemy forces from the main invasion. Americans now learn of this great invasion mostly through Hollywood blockbusters such as “Band of Brothers”, “Saving Private Ryan” and historical great “The Longest Day” and other films. And while we now know the invasion was an incredible success, which led to the liberation of all of Europe from the Nazis, the future was far from certain that fateful day eighty-one years ago.

In fact, General Dwight D. Eisenhower—the commander of the invasion and a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, who would later become the 34th President of the United States—harbored private doubts of his own.

It was incredibly complex, and the enemy certainly had vote in this election.

In the event of failure, he knew the world’s eyes would fall squarely on one man—himself. He even drafted a note that, if the invasion succeeded, would remain known only to him. But if it failed, he was prepared to address the American public and the thousands of families who had lost loved ones, taking full responsibility as a leader and offering an explanation for the outcome:

“Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that Bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.”

This note would have been lost to history but was found in his breast pocket by his aide a few days after the invasion and is now part of the National Archives in our capital, Washington, D.C. By saving this note, his aide gives us all a great example to follow, usually in far less consequential leadership scenarios.

On the first day at West Point, new cadets are taught four responses. These four responses are their only possible answers to questions from upperclassmen. The four responses are “yes sir/ma’am” “no sir/ma’am” “no excuse sir/ma’am” and “sir/ma’am, I do not understand”.

“No excuse”. As we honor the legacy of D-Day, General Eisenhower’s leadership provides timeless leadership lessons that apply to any endeavor.