Some years ago, for the instruction of National Guard officers, I undertook the then unique task of analyzing the psychology of military training and leadership, and of putting into written form the principles of the art of handling men. The necessity for quickly training great numbers of inexperienced men as leaders in war proved my chapters on Leadership and Training to be both practical and helpful to thousands of civilians fitting themselves for positions of command. Many of these, business and professional men, have suggested that I rewrite these chapters, adapting my ideas and methods to use in civil life. We believe that the fundamental principles for handling men are universal in application, and that it will be of service to the community to put these principles into form for study by those whose responsibility it is to direct the work of others.

The term "leadership" in this restricted sense has been applied to the art of handling men. It has for its purpose the object of arousing and directing that latent force which exists in every man and doubles his accomplishment under the impulsion of loyalty, pride and interest when they are aroused by a skillful leader. Practical leadership is an art, not an exact science. No two leaders succeed in exactly the same way. One may not hope to acquire this art by learning specific rules to guide his conduct. A good leader of men is one whose impulses are right; and these impulses come from a genuine acceptance of principles, from one's own belief, feelings and experiences. It is a question therefore of personal understanding and sincerity of purpose to play the game fairly; of having a sympathetic understanding of the human animal and of what the laws of life make him do under certain circumstances; and finally of having an appreciation of one's own personality and how it affects others. It becomes a live, vital matter, to which one's own personal experiences bring the most valuable contributions. Its infinite variety of elements lends an unending interest to one's daily tasks, while success in dealing with its practical problems brings constant gratification, especially in seeing the development of stronger character and increased efficiency in one's subordinates.

The war has enriched our democracy in the awakened individuality of millions of citizens and in the hundreds of thousands of young men whom it has returned to civil life experienced in the responsibilities and possibilities of group leadership. Both these are to be potent influences in the future, and may be made a great national asset if properly directed. The measure of a nation, in peace as now in war, is found in the soul and purpose of all its people. The world has been taught that machines and the cold products of science cannot win in war. They test almost to breaking the endurance of man, but in the end superior manpower emerges the victor. It is the fiber of the bodies and nerves and souls of its manhood which meets the final test and proves the issue. Preparation for war, preparation to meet any test of our nation's claim to worthiness, demands that we give thought to the quality of that fiber. If we are to assure our nation's future success in any endeavor, we must guard her manpower now. To this end everyone who is charged with the control of others should appreciate his responsibility and his opportunity. He may easily so handle his men as not only to increase their efficiency in the work at hand, but so as to ensure that they leave their daily tasks in a frame of mind which will make them happier and better citizens—stronger in character, higher in purpose, more loyal upholders of our democratic institutions. In that thought I have written this book, addressed to all who are responsible for the work of others.

I am indebted for particular ideas to an article in the Infantry Journal of April, 1918, by Professor William E. Hocking, of Harvard University; to a lecture by Admiral Sims, U. S. Navy, published in the same journal in February, 1918; to the series of lectures given by Bishop Brent at Harvard University and published under the title "Leadership"; and to "Industry and Humanity" by W. L. Mackenzie King.

Lincoln C. Andrews.

New York,
June 15, 1920.