Features of Hitler’s Leadership Style and Agenda

 
Features of Hitler’s Leadership Style and Agenda
Introduction
Adolf Hitler was a former leader of Germany who served as a chancellor between
1933 to1945. During his leadership, the genocide of the Jewish, Romani, and the
holocaust occurred. Hitler was a recognized veteran of the First World War; he joined the
Nazi Party (formerly known as NSDAP) in 1919. Hitler led a coup in Bavaria that failed
and eventually led him to prison. After the imprisonment, he gained a lot of followers
through endorsing German nationalism and anti-capitalism. Hitler’s ultimate goal was to
create a new order of total Nazi German domination in Europe. To achieve his goal, he
developed a foreign policy declaring the objective of seizing living space for Aryan
People. Hitler was willing to direct all the national resources towards the achievement of
his goal. In return, the United Kingdom and France proclaimed a war against Germany,
which further turned into the Second World War.
Hitler’s Leadership styles
Hitler was very determined to direct his commands personally. Hitler's main
agenda centered around power acquisition. He wanted to bring change to Germany by
leading a rebel group. Just as planned, he maintained the power of command throughout
the war period and enjoyed the unquestionable leadership. He also brought some of the
changes he wanted to see in Germany. Based on the readings, his leadership styles can be
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classified into three. He was an authoritarian, an autocratic leader and a charismatic
leader. He was an authoritarian leader since the final word in his command always
belonged to him. The ultimate authority was in Hitler's hands, making him an ultimate
leader and example to all of his subordinates (Kershaw, 240).
In all levels of his command, he was the one to give directions for the rest to
follow. He was the commander of the armies during work, leading all the operations of
his armed groups. As the war went on, Hitler got hold of senior key positions that gave
him more direct control over his groups. His authority rose from leader of the German
state in 1934 to commander in chief of the armed forces in 1938, and finally, in 1941, he
became the commander in chief of the army. Throughout the Second World War, Hitler
operated at various headquarters, located across different areas, where his military
advisors briefed him regularly. Every time he held briefings, he expected new updates to
be in full consistency with the information provided on the previous briefing. Hitler had
an incredibly good memory and became outrageously angry in case of any spotted
inconsistency (Kershaw, 240). Hitler did not trust most of his generals. Regardless of the
problems he had with believing his generals, Hitler still did not have the necessary
leadership qualities to help him control his military issues. He simply could not put
himself together and accept the information that did not match with his preconceptions.
And, in most cases, his assumptions were inaccurate; instead, he entirely depended on his
instincts.
As showed by the evidence, Hitler was also an autocratic leader. He had a full
command and authority over his army without any limitations or restrictions. He could do
whatever he wanted and use his powers whenever he wanted, without anyone questioning
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or stopping him. He could deal cruelly with anyone who went against his commands and
decisions. His absolute authority made him blind-folded, as he never asked for an outside
opinion from anybody. This is why he appointed himself for the senior positions of an
army commander - so there is no other person above his authority. He was the overall
commander who could order to attack whenever he wanted. Consequently, the members
of the armed group feared him due to the competences he possessed. Hitler became a
subject to many arguments among his army officers, but there was nothing they could do
as they did not have any powers. Hitler could also stick to his views regardless of the
consequences since his juniors were the ones responsible. No one could possibly make
him meet the responsibility for his actions (Kershaw, 236).
Hitler was also a charismatic leader. From one perspective, Hitler was a dictator.
A dictator who managed to rise to the highest positions thanks to incredible charisma, his
ability to captivate people`s attention and urge them to follow him even into the deadliest
plans. To achieve this, Hitler made his group of supporters evident and distinct, not like
any other group. Furthermore, he created an image in the minds of his followers on the
superiority of the group to win their attention and commitment. Eventually, he gave
himself positions that ensured no one could challenge his actions and decisions. Most
charismatic leaders lead people astray due to the strong belief that people have over them.
Hitler could order his army to attack the strongest military groups, such as the Sov