Napoleon won nearly 90% of his battles, a remarkable statistic for a coach, but unheard of for a military commander. Napoleon’s great adversary, the Duke of Wellington, was once asked who was the greatest general of his age. Wellington replied, “in this age, in past ages, in any age, Napoleon.” Napoleon dominated Continental Europe, developing a system of laws, administration, and education that still influences governments around the world. Only a coalition of Britain, Prussia, Austria, and Russia would ultimately defeat him.
What made Napoleon such an outstanding leader? His strong rapport with his troops, his organizational talents, and his creativity all played significant roles. However, the secret to Napoleon’s success was his ability to focus on a single objective. On the battlefield, Napoleon would concentrate his forces to deliver a decisive blow.
A product of the French Revolution, Napoleon directly threatened the traditional order of Europe. As a result, powerful states and empires forged coalitions against him. However, Napoleon consistently exploited the competing priorities and objectives of his larger enemies. Unlike them, in battle, he refused to multitask.
