Ns101 Term Paper - Admiral Nelson's Leadership

“NS101 Term Paper”

The leadership of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson

MIDN Taylor Hackel

The University of Idaho

“NS 101 Term Paper”

The leadership of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson

Introduction

Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson was born in September of 1758, the sixth of eleven children in his Norfolk family. In January of 1771 he joined the British Navy through his uncle, who was a Captain, and he served under his uncle. Shortly after reporting, he was appointed a midshipman, and began his officer training. After receiving his commission, Admiral Nelson quickly rose through the ranks, and received his own command at the age of 20. Afterwards, he very rapidly became known as a famous British officer who fought in a numerous amount of naval battles, the largest and most famous being the Battle of Trafalgar, and won almost all of them as well. Although a small man, and often sick, Admiral Nelson, over 200 years after his death, has become known as the greatest admiral in British history. He was known not only for his brilliant tactics and quick thinking, but also for the way he led his men, not only through battle but through the day to day duties that he and his men performed.

Leadership Style

Admiral Nelson was mostly known for his tactics in battle; however he was a great leader, using compassion and love, rather than authority, to lead his men. Flogging, or whipping, was a very common event in the British Navy of the 1800’s. Nearly every crime resulted in flogging, with the more serious crimes resulting in hangings. This punishment was in place to cause the sailors of the navy to fear being flogged, and therefore do no wrong. Nelson ignored this very old tradition, and rather than whip or hang a sailor who has done wrong, he would speak with them directly, and ask about the why it happened and how it happened. He was lenient when leniency was warranted, and severe punishments were...