Master And Commander Essay

Master and Commander Leadership Paper

Operating a warship is an organizational nightmare. More than one hundred people must harmoniously work together to operate the sails, maintain the weaponry, and prepare for immediate battle. All the while, these sailors must also keep calm during the alarming panic. The crews journey leads them across the world in pursuit of the Acheeron as they seek to capture it as their prize. Given the strong leadership that the captain displays, the unrelenting motivation he possesses and the strong organization of the HSS Surprise, it is no surprise that they are able to defy all odds and defeat their stronger foe in battle thousands of miles from their homeland.

Leadership is an ambiguous quality that is not easily defined, but Captain Jack Aubrey clearly exemplifies it. One theory of why he is such an effective leader is that he is extremely ambitious and energetic and this becomes apparent when he pursues the Acheeron across the world. Instead of giving up after he was soundly beaten as he put it himself, he channeled his defeat into an ambition to prove that his ship was superior to the Acheeron. His rank of captain and his enthusiasm in commandeering his ship shows that he has the desire to lead. Aubrey remained an upstanding individual reflecting the honesty and integrity that was inside of him. Believing that he and his crew had the ability to defeat the larger and better-equipped Acheeron also reflects the self-confidence Aubrey possesses. His resourcefulness in luring the Acheeron into a fatal trap after gaining insight on how a wood bug disguises itself reveals a strategizing mind that is unfazed by oppressing circumstances. The contrasting personalities between a jolly captain at the dinner table and a stern, yet understanding, captain during times of crisis, makes Aubrey out to be a very complex individual with many layers. Finally, his unquestionable expertise in naval warfare proves that Aubrey has the job-relevant knowledge necessary for being a captain of a warship.

Aubrey also has a very calm demeanor. He rarely loses his temper and tries at all times to think through things logically, even when the Acheeron wages a surprise attack on the ship. Self-motivation and the ability to persist in the face of failure is the most significant trait that Aubrey shows. Captain Aubreys social skills and the ability to handle the emotions of others is displayed as he keeps the morale of his men high even in times of hopelessness.