Success Lessons From Wellington The Iron Duke

Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852), who later became theone step back style of campaign that kept
Duke of Wellington and the hero who beat NapoleonWellington one step ahead of his often numerically
at Waterloo, had to overcome his own mother's lacksuperior enemies.When in doubt about his army's
of faith in him in order to make a success of hisability to defeat larger enemy forces he would retire
military career.She once commented: "I vow to God Ito his strong defensive network - the Lines of
don't know what I shall do with my awkward son,Torres Vedras. His tactical skill proved itself again and
Arthur". She even believed he had little aptitude foragain. Wellington, like most other successful people,
soldiering! Perhaps this motivated him to become onedeveloped his skills constantly and was careful not to
of the greatest generals in British military history.bite off more than he could chew.The leadership
Several key success lessons can be learned from hisWellesley showed in the Peninsular campaign was
life.Millions are programmed from an early age by theirlegendary. He expected the best from his men but
own parents and friends who place verbal limits onwas also a harsh disciplinarian. He hanged looters. He
what they can achieve. Too often, they allow thesevalued the help of his Portuguese and Spanish allies
limits to control them for the rest of their lives.too much to allow thieves to alienate them. Yet his
Wellesley, for one, managed to demolish the limitstroops knew that he never risked their lives in battle
placed on him by his own mother.However, at first,without good cause.After driving the French from the
Arthur appeared to prove that his mother's opinionPeninsula, Wellington pushed on into France itself until
of him was correct. He showed little aptitude forNapoleon, pressed by Wellington in the south and the
anything except playing the violin and socializing.But,Prussian, Russian and Austrian allies in the north, was
by 1793, when the French King was guillotined andforced to abdicate in 1814.Wellington was praised as
war was declared on France, he had learned thethe hero of Europe, but peace did not last long. In
huge success lesson of the importance of focus. HeMarch of 1815, Napoleon escaped from his exile on
decided to take his army career seriously and burntthe island of Elba and once again threatened
his violin in his fireplace so that he could concentrateEurope.Arthur Wellesley was now made the first
all his energies on succeeding as a soldier.This wasDuke of Wellington and marched his troops into
probably a wise move. The old saying "Jack of allBelgium where Napoleon had gathered his army.At a
trades and master of none," has real meaning.place called Waterloo the French and British armies
Successful people soon learn that they cannot domet for what was to be the final battle. The allies of
everything they want to and need to concentratethe British like the Prussians, Belgians and the Dutch
their energies on a few key projects.Wellesley andshould not be forgotten. They played a large part in
his family had enough influence and money to buy histhe victory.Wellington, himself, was everywhere on
way up the officer ranks of the army. He was ablethe field of battle encouraging his men and holding
to rise extremely quickly from the status of a juniorthem steady against the legendary French army and
officer to that of lieutenant-colonel at the age oftheir great general, Napoleon.Wellington said of him
25.He used the leverage of family and money tothat his presence on the battle field was worth
speed up his progress to military success. Successful40,000 men. The same could have been said of
people do not go it alone if they can help it. Life isWellington himself.Wellington eventually inflicted an
too short.However, Wellesley did not rely on familyoverwhelming defeat on Napoleon, but the victory
influence alone. After his regiment was sent to Indiacost a large number of lives. Wellington had become
in 1796, Wellesley began to distinguish himself. Heknown as the 'Iron Duke' by his men but even he
worked hard to master his craft and took care of hiswept when he learned of the numbers of men who
troops.He became a master of the reverse-slopehad lost their lives on that day.The British had
tactic which he would use later at Waterloo. He keptsuffered 15,000 casualties and the French 40,000.
his forces screened from artillery fire behind theWaterloo was to be Wellington's last battle. He
brow of a hill. He probably realized early on that deadreturned to England and resumed a political career
soldiers do not achieve victory.He won severalbegun many years before. He eventually became
important battles in India and then, in 1805, returnedPrime Minister in 1828.He was not popular as a
to England. In 1808, he arrived in Portugal which waspolitician and once had to fight a duel with one of his
occupied by the French. He soon began a series ofpolitical opponents - Lord Winchelsea. However, both
victories and, when given sole command, launchedmen wisely aimed to miss and honour was
the Peninsular war which was to drive Napoleon'ssatisfied!The Duke was not a man to be dominated
armies from Portugal and Spain by 1814.The Frenchor threatened by anyone. Unlike Prince Charles, he
had seemed unbeatable until Wellesley took them on.was not too worried about his private writings being
In 1808 he had told a friend that he would not bemade public. He made a famous reply to a rejected
chased off the continent as so many other similarmistress, who threatened to publish the love-letters
forces had been, because he had made a study ofhe had written to her: "Publish and be damned!"Queen
French tactics, and would not be intimidated by theirVictoria consulted him frequently. She asked his
reputation."They may overwhelm me but I don'tadvice about how to deal with sparrows which had
think they will outmanoeuvre me. First, because I amnested on the roof of the Crystal Palace. Wellington's
not afraid of them, as everybody else seems to be;reply was brief and to the point, "Sparrow-hawks,
and secondly, because if what I hear of their systemMa,am". He was right. The sparrows were soon
of manoeuvre is true, I think it a false one againstgone!In one of my favourite films "Waterloo", the
steady troops. I suspect that all the continentalDuke was asked what his plans were in case he was
armies were more than half beaten before the battlekilled. The Duke replied: "To beat the French!"He was
was begun - I, at least, will not be frighteneda man of action and few words although he did in
beforehand.'Wellington knew how to stand steady infact plan very carefully and took great care to
the face of a fearsome attack and he instilled thechoose the right ground for his battles. Success
same spirit into his troops. Cool, steady, courage is ademands both action and planning.Wellington made
major factor in most success stories. Too manymany mistakes in his life and career but his ability to
people are beaten by their own lack ofachieve success shines out above them all. He
self-confidence before they even start. If they dorefused to accept the valuation placed on him by his
start and run into problems they panic and panic leadsown mother. He focused all his efforts on his chosen
quickly to failure.Wellington was called severalcareer and mastered the skills necessary to succeed
affectionate names by his troops such as Oldin it.He used leverage when it was offered. He was
Hookey (he had a prominent nose), Our Attynot intimidated by the reputation of the French at
(Arthur) and the Bugger that Beats the French. Hethat time and had the courage and confidence to
had words for them too which show his contemptface up to his military, political and private enemies.
for the run away fathers and petty criminals whoHe knew how to plan and how to act. He was a
made up a part of his army. However, his words alsogreat leader who led by example.As a public figure
show his laconic sense of humour.Before the battleWellington remained a respected leader until his death
of Waterloo, it is said that Wellington said of his ownin 1852. He was offered a cup of tea on his
troops "This army is composed of the scum of thedeathbed. His polite reply - 'Yes, if you please' - were
earth, I don't know what effect these men will havehis last words on earth.Wellington died at Walmer
on the enemy, but by God they terrify me!"DuringCastle in Kent in 1852 and was given the honour of a
the five years of the Peninsular war, he did not takeState Funeral. It was a magnificent tribute to a great
one day's leave. His work ethic was huge - anothermilitary hero. The Duke is buried in St. Paul's Cathedral
mark of successful people. He campaigned backwardsnext to another great hero, Lord Nelson.If you are
and forwards across Portugal and Spain.He wasever in London, try to visit the Duke's house and the
occasionally forced to retreat because of the largeawesome statues to the south east of Hyde Park. I
numbers opposing him, but never lost a battle orlove gazing at these statues. They give a sense of
even a single cannon. He was almost alwaysWellington's greatness and the courage of his 'steady'
outnumbered by the large French forces that weretroops.
occupying Spain.There followed a one step forward,