1.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In this report, we will evaluate Napoleon Bonaparta

2. INTRODUCTION
2.1.

SUMMARY OF NAPOLEONS LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS

As one of the well-known leaders in the history of the west, Napoleon

Bonaparte was the first military general and emperor of France who
conquered most of Europe in the early 19th century. He was born on
August 15, 1769 on an island of Corsica, France. Napoleon graduated from
a French military academy in 1785 and rapidly rose through the ranks of
the military during the French Revolution in the 1790s. Subsequently, he
seized political power by displacing the French Directory known as the
coup of 18 Brumaire.
During post-revolutionary France, Napoleon went on to institute reforms in
many areas of the country. One of his most remarkable accomplishments
was the Napoleonic Code, which represented laws that applied equality to
all people and formed the basis of law in France today.
However, after he lost the war at the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon was
abdicated and was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena where he
was suspected to die of cancer at the age of 51.

3. MANAGERIAL LEADERSHIP ROLES

Before Napoleon came to power, France was experiencing political,
economic and social crisis. Despite the fact that France was in a dire
situation, he was able to implement change that improve the country as a

whole. He was a holistic leader and manager that fulfilled large array of
roles. His commitment to various roles were testament of his ability as a
leader that made him popular among French people.
3.1.
Under

INTERPERSONAL: LEADER & LIAISON

Napoleons

leadership,

he

centralized

the

government

by

instituting reforms in many areas such as economy, legal system and

education. He also established the Napoleonic Code that is based on
meritocracy, in which government jobs are given to the most qualified and
forbade any privileges based on birth. Napoleons reforms addressed
major problems that most French people faced. As a result, he was
elected consul in 1802 and two years later, he proclaimed himself the
emperor of France.
Internationally, Napoleon also played the liaison role. He negotiated
peace with Europe that lasted for three years. Domestically, he worked to
restore stability to France and sought to improve relations between his
regime and the pope by reinstating Roman Catholicism as the state
religion. However, the peace was short-lived. In 1803, France went to war
again with Britain, and then with Russia and Austria.
3.2.

INFORMATIONAL:

MONITOR,

DISSEMINATOR

&

SPOKESPERSON
Before the revolution, Napoleon played the monitoring role and had
observed that corruption and dysfunctional government were contributors
to the hardship in France. During his reign, he tried to correct the wrong in

the society. He forbade feudalism and allowed free ownership of land and
property, which contributed to the increase productivities of peasants and
resulted in reduced famine and starvation. Napoleon was also a
disseminator and spokesperson. At the beginning of the Italian
campaign in March 1796, Napoleon inherited a group of disgruntled
solders that refused to move forward due to short of supplies and money.
He grasped the situation immediately, made a speech that spurred his
army and ended up securing a victory against the enemy.

3.3.

DECISIONAL: ENTREPRENUEUR

One of the factors that led to French Revolution was the economy.
Napoleon was an entrepreneur as he introduced reforms that improve the
economy. France was in a dire situation whereby the country was
experiencing financial crisis and chronic inflation. When Napoleon came to
power, he quickly implemented innovative policies and centralized the
administration structure of France. These included establishing Bank of
France and tax reforms that stabilized the economy. Therefore, his reforms
eliminated inefficiency successfully and it was proven to be popular
among French people.