No Substitute for Victory: Lessons in Strategy and Leadership from General Douglas Macarthur

Chapter 19. Visibility Matters

The presence of a leader enhances the morale and accountability of followers. In good times and particularly, in bad times, leaders must share in the action by taking a prominent place in the midst of their followers. Inspirational leaders are visible leaders.

MacArthur was a firm believer in “being there.” He knew the impact that a commander's presence could have on his troops. In early 1942, when MacArthur moved to Corregidor, he first established his headquarters and personal quarters “Topside” (that is, on the highest point of the island). “As an evidence of assurance to these people suffering from deprivation, destruction, and despair,” he said, “I deemed it advisable to locate headquarters as prominently as ...