A world made of metal


Success Lessons From Wellington The Iron Duke

Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852), who latercampaign that kept Wellington one step ahead
became the Duke of Wellington and the heroof his often numerically superior
who beat Napoleon at Waterloo, had toenemies.When in doubt about his army's
overcome his own mother's lack of faith inability to defeat larger enemy forces he
him in order to make a success of hiswould retire to his strong defensive network
military career.She once commented: "I vow to- the Lines of Torres Vedras. His tactical
God I don't know what I shall do with myskill proved itself again and again.
awkward son, Arthur". She even believed heWellington, like most other successful
had little aptitude for soldiering! Perhapspeople, developed his skills constantly and
this motivated him to become one of thewas careful not to bite off more than he
greatest generals in British militarycould chew.The leadership Wellesley showed in
history. Several key success lessons can bethe Peninsular campaign was legendary. He
learned from his life.Millions are programmedexpected the best from his men but was also a
from an early age by their own parents andharsh disciplinarian. He hanged looters. He
friends who place verbal limits on what theyvalued the help of his Portuguese and Spanish
can achieve. Too often, they allow theseallies too much to allow thieves to alienate
limits to control them for the rest of theirthem. Yet his troops knew that he never
lives. Wellesley, for one, managed torisked their lives in battle without good
demolish the limits placed on him by his owncause.After driving the French from the
mother.However, at first, Arthur appeared toPeninsula, Wellington pushed on into France
prove that his mother's opinion of him wasitself until Napoleon, pressed by Wellington
correct. He showed little aptitude forin the south and the Prussian, Russian and
anything except playing the violin andAustrian allies in the north, was forced to
socializing.But, by 1793, when the Frenchabdicate in 1814.Wellington was praised as
King was guillotined and war was declared onthe hero of Europe, but peace did not last
France, he had learned the huge successlong. In March of 1815, Napoleon escaped from
lesson of the importance of focus. He decidedhis exile on the island of Elba and once
to take his army career seriously and burntagain threatened Europe.Arthur Wellesley was
his violin in his fireplace so that he couldnow made the first Duke of Wellington and
concentrate all his energies on succeeding asmarched his troops into Belgium where
a soldier.This was probably a wise move. TheNapoleon had gathered his army.At a place
old saying "Jack of all trades and master ofcalled Waterloo the French and British armies
none," has real meaning. Successful peoplemet for what was to be the final battle. The
soon learn that they cannot do everythingallies of the British like the Prussians,
they want to and need to concentrate theirBelgians and the Dutch should not be
energies on a few key projects.Wellesley andforgotten. They played a large part in the
his family had enough influence and money tovictory.Wellington, himself, was everywhere
buy his way up the officer ranks of the army.on the field of battle encouraging his men
He was able to rise extremely quickly fromand holding them steady against the legendary
the status of a junior officer to that ofFrench army and their great general,
lieutenant-colonel at the age of 25.He usedNapoleon.Wellington said of him that his
the leverage of family and money to speed uppresence on the battle field was worth 40,000
his progress to military success. Successfulmen. The same could have been said of
people do not go it alone if they can helpWellington himself.Wellington eventually
it. Life is too short.However, Wellesley didinflicted an overwhelming defeat on Napoleon,
not rely on family influence alone. After hisbut the victory cost a large number of lives.
regiment was sent to India in 1796, WellesleyWellington had become known as the 'Iron
began to distinguish himself. He worked hardDuke' by his men but even he wept when he
to master his craft and took care of hislearned of the numbers of men who had lost
troops.He became a master of thetheir lives on that day.The British had
reverse-slope tactic which he would use latersuffered 15,000 casualties and the French
at Waterloo. He kept his forces screened from40,000. Waterloo was to be Wellington's last
artillery fire behind the brow of a hill. Hebattle. He returned to England and resumed a
probably realized early on that dead soldierspolitical career begun many years before. He
do not achieve victory.He won severaleventually became Prime Minister in 1828.He
important battles in India and then, in 1805,was not popular as a politician and once had
returned to England. In 1808, he arrived into fight a duel with one of his political
Portugal which was occupied by the French. Heopponents - Lord Winchelsea. However, both
soon began a series of victories and, whenmen wisely aimed to miss and honour was
given sole command, launched the Peninsularsatisfied!The Duke was not a man to be
war which was to drive Napoleon's armies fromdominated or threatened by anyone. Unlike
Portugal and Spain by 1814.The French hadPrince Charles, he was not too worried about
seemed unbeatable until Wellesley took themhis private writings being made public. He
on. In 1808 he had told a friend that hemade a famous reply to a rejected mistress,
would not be chased off the continent as sowho threatened to publish the love-letters he
many other similar forces had been, becausehad written to her: "Publish and be
he had made a study of French tactics, anddamned!"Queen Victoria consulted him
would not be intimidated by theirfrequently. She asked his advice about how to
reputation."They may overwhelm me but I don'tdeal with sparrows which had nested on the
think they will outmanoeuvre me. First,roof of the Crystal Palace. Wellington's
because I am not afraid of them, as everybodyreply was brief and to the point,
else seems to be; and secondly, because if"Sparrow-hawks, Ma,am". He was right. The
what I hear of their system of manoeuvre issparrows were soon gone!In one of my
true, I think it a false one against steadyfavourite films "Waterloo", the Duke was
troops. I suspect that all the continentalasked what his plans were in case he was
armies were more than half beaten before thekilled. The Duke replied: "To beat the
battle was begun - I, at least, will not beFrench!"He was a man of action and few words
frightened beforehand.'Wellington knew how toalthough he did in fact plan very carefully
stand steady in the face of a fearsome attackand took great care to choose the right
and he instilled the same spirit into hisground for his battles. Success demands both
troops. Cool, steady, courage is a majoraction and planning.Wellington made many
factor in most success stories. Too manymistakes in his life and career but his
people are beaten by their own lack ofability to achieve success shines out above
self-confidence before they even start. Ifthem all. He refused to accept the valuation
they do start and run into problems theyplaced on him by his own mother. He focused
panic and panic leads quickly toall his efforts on his chosen career and
failure.Wellington was called severalmastered the skills necessary to succeed in
affectionate names by his troops such as Oldit.He used leverage when it was offered. He
Hookey (he had a prominent nose), Our Attywas not intimidated by the reputation of the
(Arthur) and the Bugger that Beats theFrench at that time and had the courage and
French. He had words for them too which showconfidence to face up to his military,
his contempt for the run away fathers andpolitical and private enemies. He knew how to
petty criminals who made up a part of hisplan and how to act. He was a great leader
army. However, his words also show hiswho led by example.As a public figure
laconic sense of humour.Before the battle ofWellington remained a respected leader until
Waterloo, it is said that Wellington said ofhis death in 1852. He was offered a cup of
his own troops "This army is composed of thetea on his deathbed. His polite reply - 'Yes,
scum of the earth, I don't know what effectif you please' - were his last words on
these men will have on the enemy, but by Godearth.Wellington died at Walmer Castle in
they terrify me!"During the five years of theKent in 1852 and was given the honour of a
Peninsular war, he did not take one day'sState Funeral. It was a magnificent tribute
leave. His work ethic was huge - another markto a great military hero. The Duke is buried
of successful people. He campaigned backwardsin St. Paul's Cathedral next to another great
and forwards across Portugal and Spain.He washero, Lord Nelson.If you are ever in London,
occasionally forced to retreat because of thetry to visit the Duke's house and the awesome
large numbers opposing him, but never lost astatues to the south east of Hyde Park. I
battle or even a single cannon. He was almostlove gazing at these statues. They give a
always outnumbered by the large French forcessense of Wellington's greatness and the
that were occupying Spain.There followed acourage of his 'steady' troops.
one step forward, one step back style of



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