A key conflict of the Texas Revolution, the Siege and Battle of the Alamo is generally accepted as a defining moment in the formation of American character and culture. This program follows the story of the Alamo from the capture of the garrison and its commander through its fortification and siege in the possession of Texian joint command, to the massacre of its defenders–ordered by Mexican leadership. On the Texian side, the leadership focus is on determination, effective execution in spite of severely limited resources, and tactical innovation in the face of insurmountable odds. From the Mexican perspective, the emphasis is on underestimating the competition, as well as the power of complacency and inflexibility to undermine operational effectiveness. The battlefield in the heart of historic downtown San Antonio, even today amid concrete and steel, still resounds with the cry, “Remember the Alamo!”
In this program, we will explore the importance of intellectual curiosity in the innovation process. The Age of Innovation, spanning the latter 1800s and extending into the early 1900s, was characterized by great business “disruptors” of the era. We will study Henry Ford, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Alva Edison, and the Wright Brothers. The program, conducted in Dearborn, Michigan, will include sessions at the The Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, and the Ford River Rouge Complex. Participants will witness some of the great inventions in history and the approach used to create an environment where revolutionary thinking was encouraged and expected to spur unprecedented advancement. In small group settings, we will discuss and debate the innovation process and conduct our own experimental case study that will include the marketing of a business breakthrough and monetization of the outcome.
Next offering July 1-4, 2025
On July 1-4, 2025, Battlefield Leadership embarks on an all-inclusive leadership tour of Normandy. Our facilitators will take you to the French beaches, cliffs, and villages that served as battlegrounds for the turning point of World War II in the West. This is an opportunity to walk on the very land and experience firsthand the weight of the events that occurred on June 6, 1944, the largest invasion ever assembled.
We will be staying four nights at the exclusive Château La Chenevière, a 5-star 18th century chateau located in Port-en-Bessin, France. Pricing is all inclusive and covers the program fee, lodging, meals, bus transport, entrance fees, and any related costs once participants arrive at the Chenevière.
To sign up now or get additional information please fill out our Normandy Open Enrollment Contact Form.
The Normandy Invasion, D-Day specifically, is a rich and stimulating source of leadership insight relevant to the challenges and opportunities of the current global business environment. Planning, organization, communication, teamwork, and initiative amid profound and increasingly rapid changes in circumstance are as critical now to effective execution as they were in 1944.
Throughout the Normandy Leadership Experience, we examine key strategic objectives and the tactical events that accompanied them, and we focus on the role leadership played in effective implementation–or the lack thereof. We also reflect upon the relevance of these timeless lessons and how each relates to contemporary leadership initiatives in participants’ current roles. Hallmarks of effective leadership and decision-making are explored in the context of D-Day operations.
Who Should Attend
The leadership principles and concepts presented through the Normandy Leadership Experience can be tailored to meet the needs of the highest level senior leaders to the less-experienced yet rising leaders within an organization. The Normandy program explores universal leadership themes any leader will find beneficial to his or her career growth and/or organizational aspirations. However, the Normandy Leadership Experience will be highly beneficial for leaders of large, complex, multi-national, or multi-cultural organizations experiencing tremendous change and/or professionals who are charged with leading a team (or teams) of the same nature.
The Cowpens battlefield, located in northwest South Carolina, offers a rich metaphor for leadership development in the contemporary business world. Set against a backdrop of continuous defeats at the hands of the British Army, the American victory at the Battle of Cowpens is often portrayed as the pivotal battle of the Revolutionary War in the South. The story of how an adaptive commander of a small and under-resourced American army of volunteers, regulars, and militia engineered a brilliant tactical victory against superior British forces is a compelling vignette which addresses many leadership dynamics of contemporary relevance. These include setting direction and establishing order in a complex and highly fluid environment, using situational awareness to improvise in the face of unexpected developments, harnessing diversity for agility in performance, engaging and motivating associates, and building trust and respect.
Who Should Attend
The leadership training principles and concepts presented through the Cowpens Leadership Experience can be tailored to meet the needs of the most senior leaders or geared to the less-experienced, rising leaders within an organization. Any leader who is positioned to have a measurable effect on the performance of the overall organization or the effectiveness of his or her own department would gain valuable insights and strategies for improvement.
The September 1863 Battle of Chickamauga (in northwest Georgia) provides a rich metaphor for exploring the leadership skills required to survive and succeed in today’s business environment. During three days in mid-September, the engagements between a Confederate force totaling nearly 67,000 and a Union force totaling approximately 57,000 evolved into complex operations that were fought over challenging terrain. Added to this were the interpersonal tensions and stylistic shortcomings among the Confederate high command in the face of fragmented initiative and the ambiguous direction of Union forces. The Battle of Chickamauga provides a strong framework from which to discuss how leaders view, plan, and mobilize around a strategic focal point. At stake was the important rail-hub city of Chattanooga, which–if captured by the Union–could create a “Gateway to Atlanta” and further cripple or kill the Confederacy.
Case studies of the situations and the leading participants engaged at the Battle of Chickamauga provide a strongly evocative context within which to examine leadership from the participants’ perspectives as they relate to their own company or work team. Our two-day program takes us to poignant sites rich with lessons and perfect for leadership discussion and reflection.
Who Should Attend
The leadership principles and concepts presented through the Chickamauga Leadership Experience can be tailored to meet the needs of the highest level senior leaders to the less-experienced yet rising leaders within an organization. The Chickamauga Leadership Experience explores universal leadership themes any leader will find beneficial to his or her career growth and/or organizational aspirations.