Adolf Hitler’s Leadership Styles

Adolf Hitler’s Leadership Styles

“A leader is one who knows the way, shows the way, goes the way and shows the way”. The words of John Maxwell are a true reflection of the common perception and expectation of a leader from the society. Leadership has been an integral part of the social construction of man since man begun living in social groups. With the urge to establish the most effective leadership that would see different communities to a better social organization, most of the leadership styles that presently exist came to be. Some people believe that leaders are born while others see leaders as being made. All in all, a leader in most cases is a symbol of authority, and this explains why every other individual gives most leaders priority and attention under his or her jurisdiction. Following the importance of leadership in the construction of the human social world of humans, learning institutions have adopted the concept of leadership, and it is currently taught in several units. The contemporary society, for instance, has a set of values and responsibilities that it associates to all leaders in the community. Research has proven, however, that most of the modern leadership concepts can be referred back to the leadership styles that were common some time back. Some of the most popular leaders in world history include Adolf Hitler, who has been an influential figure in most leadership institutions.  Ideally, evaluating the life of Hitler in totality to his leadership styles is likely to enhance our understanding of the concept of leadership and its impacts on the subjects and the community.

Early Life and Childhood

Adolf Hitler is best known as the chancellor of Germany and his dictator leadership. He

is also recognized for being the initiator of the World War II after ordering the invasion of

Poland in 1939. During World War II, it is believed that more than 50 million people lost their

lives, and the blame lies on the German leader Adolf Hitler. This is because, during this

particular moment in time, he was the commander in chief of the German Armed Forces, which

means that he was responsible for all critical decisions. Adolf Hitler was born on April 20th,

1889, in a small Austria Town known as Braunau am Inn, which is located on the border of

Austria and German. Hitler’s father, Alois, was a customs official while his mother Klara had an

unfortunate and peasant family origin. Despite this, the family had a financially comfortable life

thanks to Hitler’s father, Alois, who provided more than enough for the family. After gaining

popularity due to his brightness in primary school, Hitler preferred the Boer War rather than

studies in secondary school, and this resulted in him leaving school at the age of 16 years without

any qualification. Hitler’s father and mother died in 1903 and 1907, respectively, after which he

moved to Vienna and developed ideas of uniting Austria and German. These ideas, as well as

those of the political ideology of Hitler, were majorly influenced by the mayor of Vienna, Karl

Lueger. This marked the beginning of his leadership and political career.

Due to the hatred that he had for the multi-ethnic composition of the Hapsburg empire of

Austria, Hitler moved to Munich, German, in 1913 after receiving pat of his father’s estate and

as a way of avoiding military service. He denied serving in the Habsburg Empire due to the

mixture of races in it and the fear of Austria-Hungary collapse. He first got involved in a war in

1914, after which he was decorated for bravery twice after serving in both German and France.

Hitler’s leadership over large numbers of people was first marked in 1913. After gaining German

citizenship, he played a significant role in making the Nazis the largest party in Germany, with 37% of votes in the July 1932 elections (Roberts, 2010). The president of Germany by then Hindenburg gave Hitler the Chancellor’s post after being convinced to do so by Hitler’s support despite being a

communist. Courtesy of the Enabling act, Hitler had the power to pass laws regardless of

approval as well as disbanding political organizations, parties, and unions unassociated with the

Nazis. After President Hindenburg’s death, Hitler was promoted to Führer, which meant that he

was in total control. After that, Hitler became the utmost leader in Germany, and the dictatorship

primarily characterized his leadership. Some dictatorship actions denoted in his leadership

include the Nuremberg laws, territorial expansion, and the second World War. His Nuremberg

laws, for example, not only did they deny the Jewish people German citizenship but also

prohibited their intermarriages and sexual relations with people of German. Hitler and his

dictatorship form of leadership are considered to be the cause of World War II in Europe. This is

evidenced by the fact that he was equipped with military forces with a new supply of weapons on

September 1st to invade Poland, which resulted in a declaration of war against Germany by

France and Britain.

Hitler’s Leadership Styles

After the death of President Paul von Hindenburg, in 1934, Hitler assumed power as the Fuhrer. When he thought this power, Hitler imposed dictatorship to the Germans who could do nothing to prevent Hitler’s ascent to power. After getting the military on his side, Hitler had all that he required to exert dictatorship to the Germans (Ivancevich et al., 2017). The military pledged their allegiance to their commander in chief, and as such, they gave Hitler just what he required to rule. Dictatorship kind of leadership is that which there is one source of power, and that is the president who is untouchable by any other authority in the country.  With so much power vested upon one person, it is common that such leaders tend to abuse power and force their subjects into serving them and doing whatever the leader requires. Most of the nations that have been subjected to this kind of leadership have been subjected to untold suffering with high rates of weak economic growth. Hitler was not an exception in this case. Three months after his ascension to power, Hitler got rid of all the parties and groups that were non-Nazis.

Regardless of opting for Dictatorship, Hitler was deemed a leader according to the qualities that he possessed. For instance, many researchers depict Hitler as an intelligent, charismatic leader. An excellent example of this can be seen through his careful consideration when taking over the leadership of German. Other than getting rid of the non-Nazis, Hitler ensured that he accommodated the conservative ideas and, as such, did not initiate a radical revolution. By taking this step, Hitler was looking at the bigger picture, which was to gain the support of the army throughout (Takala & Auvinen, 2016). He also did not drop the already appointed members of the government, such as ministers, since he needed their support in ruling the nation. Through his numerous speeches, Hitler appealed to many individuals, and as such, he was deemed a great and influential leader. Other than being a dictator, Hitler was a person who would give a person a chance by trying to reason with that person. The case of Ernst Rohm, who believed in a continuing revolution, was an excellent example of Hitler’s character. He tried to reason with this guy, and when he realized that Rohm was not willing to change his mind, he opted for executing him.

Additionally, Hitler demonstrated an aspect of direct leadership. This form of leadership style is the kind in which the symbol of authority communicates to his or her subjects concerning the set goals and objectives and following up to ensure that these goals are achieved by every individual (Ivancevich et al., 2017). The most appropriate example that can be used to point out Hitler’s direct leadership is the fact that he created levels and, at each level, gave authority to the leaders. The subordinates were to follow the instructions that the leaders gave them to the latter, and the main aim of these levels was to meet the goals that he had set. This explains why the German economy under his rule was continually improving, and it was evident since the performance was exemplary. As time went by, Hitler identified the most significant levels in his government and took direct control over these sectors. Through doing this, he was assured of security and loyalty. Some of the sections he gained powers were the military and the defense sections.

Hitler displayed an aspect of using power to influence his control. For instance, Hitler was deemed to have the five resources of energy. For example, through his troubled childhood and life before serving in the German army during the second world war, Hitler took advantage of the experiences and established his referent power. To gain this power, Hitler strengthened the relationship that he had with his followers. Through knowing his audience, Hitler offered what people were looking for, and through this established a strong relationship with his followers, who later supported him through his political career.  Also, he takes advantage of his persuasive power to influence the Germans to destroy an entire race (Ivancevich et al., 2017). Through his ability as an excellent speaker and a man who knows how to make the right choice of words, Hitler appeals to the Germans through his numerous speeches and influences them to make decisions that paved the way for his future political career (Friedman, 2014). One crucial factor that researchers notice about Hitler is that he is a determined individual who is also a planner. This can be seen through the influences that he gave people was always directed towards achieving a specific goal that would be beneficial to the nations as a whole. His intelligence can be seen through the various approaches that he used to gain the Germans on his side. He not only used the novels that he wrote to spread his beliefs and ideas but also gave poetic speeches that depicted him as a wise and reliable individual in the eyes of the Germans.

After his ascension to power, Hitler employed the use of Legitimate power to influence the events and actions of Germans to favor his set goals and desires. With all the authority vested upon him, Hitler could affect any individual to work towards doing whatever he wanted. Through the numerous pieces of advice that he gave as well as the multiple projects that Hitler contributed to and finally succeeded, he managed to appeal to the Germans through the expert power. This kind of strength gives the subjects the impression that the person in authority has the knowledge of everything that cannot handle and, as such, give him all the authority and power that he needs. It is through this power that Hitler managed to set the goals for the nation and still have followers regardless of establishing a dictatorship (Gellatel, 2002). Other than that, the dictatorship government that Hitler had established was coercive. Through this power, he practically imposed instructions and assignments on people and forced them to do it so that he could meet his overall and selfish goals. Ideally, it is correct to argue that Hitler was an autocratic leader. Through his authority, he took advantage of people and forced them into producing the results that he desired.

As he assumed power, Germany was under a democratic government, and power was divided among different high positions in the government. As much as the people of these nations had their rights and freedom protected, the form of government was failing the country since its economy, beginning with was very low, following its failed attempts to recover from the losses made during the second world war (Gellately, 2002). According to Hitler, the nation was not only divided but was also impoverished as well as humiliated. Hitler thought it wise to incorporate a type of leadership that will give German its authority back (Ivancevich et al., 2017). His approaches to the autocratic government were based on the need for the government to restore the economic position as well as the security of the nation. Through his implosive means and methods, Hitler managed to improve the economy of the country through establishing rules and policies that required every individual to work, and through this raised the economy. Some of the successes that Hitler is associated with are attached to his personality and characters that made him a great leader. He was an emotionally healthy person who was known for self-awareness, self-motivation, empathy and possess social skills. He was also a confident leader and spoke with a focus on his visions and, through this, connected quickly to the audience. Following this, Hitler becomes one of the most influential leaders in history.

Conclusively, Hitler’s main style of leadership was an autocracy. However, through his position and character, he gained power from different abilities and attitudes. For instance, his experience as he grew up as well as the various challenges he faced gave him a platform to appeal to the people since he knew exactly what to tell these people. Following this, many people believed in him, and he gained large numbers of followers. Another fact was his ability to appeal to his audience through speech and confidence in his visions. He also had the authority over everyone else, and through his position, he forcefully influenced changes as well as actions that contributed to the growth and development of the nation. Following his power sources and his ability to control his followers, Hitler was among the most effective and successful leaders that German ever had.

References

Ivancevich, J. M., Matteson, M. T., & Konopaske, R. (2017). Organizational Behavior and Management (11th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Roberts, A. (2010). Hitler and Churchill: Secrets of leadership. Hachette UK.

Takala, T., & Auvinen, T. (2016). The power of leadership storytelling: Case of Adolf Hitler. Tamara: Journal for Critical Organization Inquiry, 14.

Friedman, H. H., & Weiser Friedman, L. I. N. D. A. (2014). Springtime For Hitler: Lessons In Leadership. Psychosociological Issues in Human Resource Management, 2(2).

Gellately, R. (2002). Backing Hitler: consent and coercion in Nazi Germany. OUP Oxford.

Lepsius, M. R. (2006). The model of charismatic leadership and its applicability to the rule of Adolf Hitler. Totalitarian movements and political religions, 7(2), 175-190.