Hitler is the name synonymous with the Holocaust and the Nazis. Many opine that Hitler lost
World War II not because he lacked military power or war winning strategies, but because he
underestimated the position of his enemy. Hitler punished those who brought him bad news. So
his subordinates feared him, and stopped giving him true information. Thus Hitler remained in the
illusory world, thinking he would be the next emperor of the planet.
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union during World
War II. Over 4.5 million troops of the Axis powers invaded the USSR. In addition to the large number
of troops, it also involved 600,000 motor vehicles and 750,000 horses. Planning for Operation
Barbarossa started on 18 December 1940; the secret preparations and the military operation
itself lasted almost a year, from spring to winter of 1941. The Red Army repelled the Wehrmacht’s
strongest blow and Adolf Hitler did not achieve the expected victory, but the Soviet Union’s situation
remained dire. Tactically, the Germans had won some resounding victories and occupied some of
the most important economic areas of the country, mainly in Ukraine. Despite these successes, the
Germans were pushed back from Moscow and could never mount an offensive simultaneously along
the entire strategic Soviet-German front again.
Operation Barbarossa was the largest military operation in human history in both manpower and
casualties. Its failure was a turning point in the Third Reich’s fortunes. Hitler had underestimated the
power of the Soviet Union. Perhaps Hitler could have saved himself from this precarious condition
had he not installed fear in his subordinates, who could have then provided him with the right
information.
To what extent should the subordinates fear a leader? If there is no fear, the leader could be
ineffective. But if there is too much fear, the leader might reach the same end as Hitler. How could a
leader go about this dilemma?
Increasingly we see top leaders, CEO's falling from fame
due to some or the other transgressions they make. During the recent recession it was noted that as the US
government was bailing out banks and insurance companies, top CEO's of those very companies made millions in
insider tradings.
that fear on our superior should be out of respect.. not forced one.. We should have done much for them that they automatically feel like doing something in return..
The feeling of fearing to displease the Leader should be more prevalent in our hearts than feeling of fear of getting punished/ Chastized. It requires some affection and love for the leader. When subordinate sees love,care and sacrifices done by the leader for him,he feels grateful and wants to do whatever is told to him to do. Along with it,there is a feeling of Fear that I should not do anything which hurts him. If I speak lie to him, It will not please him.Rather, I will tell the truth and get chastized…
There must be healthy fear among the subordinates
Fear can be constructive or destructive. Here is a classic example of Adolf Hitler who was facing consequences of destructive fear that created in the hearts of his subordinates. Constructive fear means there is a lot of respect towards the leader in heart of subordinate. Subordinates are careful, honest and sincere in their dealings. There is fear that their actions may displease their superiors. We can learn this lesson from this extract.
Radhanath Swami exemplifies the qualities of a leader. As my spiritual mentor he has always been firm. But the care and concern that he has for my spiritual progress gives me the security and confidence that allows me to make mistakes. Like a father, he wants me to walk and run, and he is OK with me falling, but never will he allow me to be lazy and stop trying.
The leader should be exemplary.Because of his exemplary behavior he will receive a due respect from his subordinates.Then the any type of wrong doings by subordinates does not arise.Thank you very mcuh.
Actually its important to command respect and NOT DEMAND. If a leader is loving at the same time strict then it will work. Some times encouragement and other time strictness is IMPORTANT. Other most important aspect is that Leader should be good follower and exemplary, that makes him more effective.
Fear has to be out of respect. Fear for a leader should be based on the feeling of shame for not having done what was expected out of you for someone you respect and revere.
A leader should command respect in a way that his behaviour should be exemplary and he should never compromise on principles. At the same time, he should be caring enough to not punish his subordinates for speaking the truth. He should be loving and appreciative of his subordinates for their good service, and he should also not shy away from chastizing them for their laxity in service or too much obsequiousness.
A leader should take good counsel from his trusted ministers, but at the same time, he should not be over-dependent on them. At times, he should take tough decisions as well.
A true leader should be strict with himself and lenient with others.
The fear should be Healthy fear & it should be out of respect(not wanting to displease) to the superior, not because of any other reasons.
The story is very instructive for an effective leaders.
There should be fear with the combination of love.
This swami can exactly guide people to lead the society
excellent quote
There should respect for superiors and little fear. Fear with no respect and only by force is dangerous.
The explanation of Healthy Fear given by Pulkit seems very appropriate…
The fear Hitler inspired in his subordinates is different from the fear that a spiritual leader should inspire in his subordinates. As mentioned by one of the seniors here, the biggest fear in the junior should be to displease the leader and not of his own life. If by giving that bad news, Hitler was displeased then the soldier bringing him the news should have happily laid down his life for Hitler.That kind of loyalty should be inspired in the juniors by the leader and the leader does that by leading by example.Hitler had not done much by example.He had powerful voice and all power in Germany. But he lost the loyalty of his most senior officers.In the end, he had ordered the arrest of his most trusted and loyal officer, Heinrich Himmler(before that Himmler committed suicide) If this kind of trust exists between leader and subordinates, chances are dim that the leader would remain a leader for long. In Hitler's case, the fear was out of selfish motives(soldiers were not serving Hitler out of love for him but for their own lives, own selfish motives).In case of a spiritual leader, it has to be due to love and to please the senior, then there would be no 'fear'
A superior must command respect,affection and love by his own example and not demand it. Then automatically the subordinate will have a healthy fear of displeasing his superior while simultaneously having a positive spirit of serving him with affection.
A leader’s job is not to instill fear in the minds of the subbordinates but to awaken their genuine love and respect for him so they naturally feel inspired to give their best to him. Also, he should lead through his own example at being best at all tasks he undertakes, so his suboordinates feel motivated to follow in his footsteps.