| The battle at Gettysburg is one of the most | | | | we lose the war, if you join us, I will be grateful." |
| notable events in U.S. History. It is a battle where | | | | To conclude, he proposed a powerful idea: "Join |
| more lives were taken than in any other battle in | | | | us," and if so, the situation (the mutiny) would not |
| North America. In this small farming community in | | | | be revisited. If they chose not to join, he would |
| 1863, George Meade's Union Army comprising of | | | | seek fair treatment in their behalf. "We are |
| 90,000 troops met Robert Lee's Confederate | | | | moving out" he concluded, and gave them an |
| Army of 75,000. We can read volumes of | | | | opportunity to ponder and determine where their |
| literature and accounts of heroes, leaders, | | | | commitment would lie. |
| front-line soldiers and others directly and indirectly | | | | Shortly thereafter, as the brigade proceeded to |
| impacted by the event. Certainly there are | | | | Gettysburg Chamberlain wondered if the men |
| incredible leadership coaching and other lessons | | | | would follow his leadership. As it turned out, one |
| from the lives of these men and women and the | | | | hundred and fourteen soldiers (who had originally |
| strategic events which became the critical turning | | | | planned to mutiny) followed this instrumental |
| point in the Civil War. | | | | leader into battle. All but six men were awakened |
| On the morning of the first day of the three day | | | | and made the commitment. The rest went on to |
| battle, Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain was faced | | | | make history in the crucial defense of "Little |
| with a coaching and influence opportunity. As the | | | | Round Top" at Gettysburg. |
| sun was coming over the horizon, Joshua L. | | | | Effective leadership coaching and influence is not a |
| Chamberlain stood before a group of tired soldiers | | | | fad. It is a proven technique that has stood the |
| from the Second Maine Brigade. At that point, | | | | test of time. Although terminology and external |
| these men had been participating in heavy battle | | | | environments may change, the concept is the |
| for weeks and were seeking mutiny. However, | | | | same, people are a valuable resource and they |
| due to the number of casualties prior to | | | | can be influenced. Looking back at Chamberlain's |
| Gettysburg, their service at this time was | | | | experience, six men did not make the |
| desperately needed. Chamberlain explained that he | | | | commitment, and in some situations leadership |
| had been instructed to "order" these men to join | | | | coaching may not always work perfectly. |
| the brigade or they would be shot. Yet, he calmly | | | | However, as we face modern crucial battles and |
| informed the troops that he did not plan to follow | | | | attempt to build strong organizations, making the |
| this instruction. He recognized their suffering, and | | | | effort to coach is always worth the investment. |
| then explained the necessity of their military | | | | There are many other instances in history where |
| service and the role they could play. Chamberlain | | | | great leaders utilized some kind of coaching or |
| eloquently proceeded to instill a renewed purpose | | | | influence. As leaders today, we face similar |
| in these men, helping them to remember why | | | | challenges that require commitment and sacrifice |
| they were involved and had originally enlisted. He | | | | that only comes from a solid partnership with |
| referred to their fellow soldiers who made the | | | | people. It is as true today as it was back then |
| ultimate sacrifice. He sought their commitment to | | | | that "A leader can only achieve excellence through |
| move forward with conviction. "If we lose you, | | | | relationships with others. |