Creative Execution: What Great Leaders Do to Unleash Bold Thinking and Innovation

Creative Execution at Trafalgar

Like Alexander, Nelson excelled in all dimensions of Creative Execution: he designed a Unique Strategy, encouraged Candid Dialogue with his captains, created Clear Roles and Accountabilities, relished Bold Action, and embodied the concept of Visible Leadership. Let’s take a look at how these elements played out at Trafalgar.

Unique Strategy

Nelson’s choice of strategy and tactics—to force a decisive battle with the Combined Fleet, approach the enemy line at a right angle, and use superior firepower to overwhelm each ship in close-quarter combat—was both unique and compelling. And it was much more practical than the line-ahead tactic that had guided naval warfare before his time. This strategy captured the imagination ...