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Lessons from the Old West for Today’s Leaders
Divide and Conquer
Posse leaders after the first outlaw gang to rob a train determined early on that the best way to capture the bandits was to employ an age-old plan of attack. Deputy U. S. Marshal Hixon decided to gain an advantage over the desperados by divided the posse in two. The lawmen were able to overtake several of the bandits in Ingalls, Oklahoma.
Inspire Trust
The first job of a leader is to inspire trust. Deputy U. S. Marshal Bill Tilghman inspired trust in politicians and law enforcement agents throughout the Oklahoma territory. Lawman Bat Masterson called him the “best of us all.” It was only natural Tilghman would be called on to help capture the Doolin-Dalton gang. Tilghman knew trust was the single most essential element to the ability to deliver extraordinary results in an enduring way. To assist him in tracking the notorious train robbers, Tilghman called on two men he trusted with his life, Heck Thomas and Chris Madsen. These men became legendary in their pursuit for outlaws.
Be steadfast and relentless.
Marshal Tilghman and his posse were driven to succeed. The Doolin-Dalton gang eluded them for a while, but the lawmen were single-minded in their pursuit. Action combined with commitment results in success. In the case of the Doolin-Dalton gang it resulted in criminals’ deaths.
Know when to ignore public perception
The Doolin-Dalton gang’s reputation for being able to evade the law was well documented and many doubted the outlaws would ever be apprehended. If the posse after the gang had believed what the newspapers reported as a “futile endeavor” the lawmen would never have begun the search for them. The posse never entertained the idea that tracking the lawbreakers was folly because in their minds there was no other option beyond getting the bad guys. If they path the posse followed wasn’t successful it didn’t mean it was time to give up. It just meant it was time to shift tactics.
Be willing to accept advice.
Bill Doolin had been hiding out in New Mexico for weeks and the posse after the outlaw was unable to locate him. One of the posse members reminded Officer Heck Thomas that Doolin was hopelessly in love with his wife and child and would eventually come out of hiding to try and get to his family. It was suggested that the posse travel to Oklahoma where Doolin’s wife lived and wait for the desperado to appear. The advice paid off. Doolin did return home and the posse was waiting for him.
