During the revolutionary war, there was a particular member of George Washington’s continental army that stood out for his bravery and intelligence on the battlefield. He, along with Ethan Allen, led the battle to capture Fort Ticonderoga from the British, which he followed up with a victory at Fort Saint-Jean. He participated in the assault on Quebec City, where he was seriously wounded.
He risked his life for the cause of liberty and even spent his personal fortune in support of the war. By all accounts, he was an outstanding officer and was a standout in General George Washington’s eyes. However, his superior officers, such as Horatio Gates, often took credit for much of his success in battle.
As a result, he was passed over several times for promotion. Being a man of intense emotional commitment to the cause of freedom, he took being marginalized by his superior officers and being passed over for promotions as a personal attack against his character and commitment.
While recovering from his injuries, he met and married a prominent socialite in Philadelphia named Peggy Shippen. Peggy, the daughter of a Judge, was used to an extravagant lifestyle. He had difficulty financing this as he was being passed over for promotions. His anger with his situation continued to fester while he recovered from his injuries.
When he returned to active duty, he was assigned as the commander of West Point. Then he was approached with a proposition from the English to change his allegiance, which he did. We now know this man as Benedict Arnold. The British gave him the rank of Brigadier General and offered him a handsome salary. He went on to become their the most successful field general.
As a British General, Benedict went on to capture Richmond, VA. He rampaged through Virginia, destroying homes, foundries, and mills, as well as ordering the death of hundreds of colonials. He became a major asset to the British and caused great harm to the Continental Army until he turned over his command to Lord Cornwallis.
So why is this story important in the context of a business blog? The Story of Benedict Arnold could have played out much better for the colonies if it were not for the fact that as the most successful field commander, this man’s contributions were not adequately recognized and rewarded by his superiors, making him feel unappreciated.
In business, many of the most promising and productive individuals have fragile egos. As the owner of a company, you need to be able to recognize and reward behaviors from employees that move the business forward or risk creating a Benedict Arnold in your own ranks.
Sam Walton (Walmart) was forced to sell his Ben Franklin franchise store, and Arthur Blank & Bernard Marcus (Home Depot) were ousted in a power struggle by Handy Dan Improvement Centers. These are just a few examples of businessmen that used their anger as a way to focus their energies on building businesses that would ultimately destroy their former employers.
Are you or others in your company not evaluating and recognizing the contributions of key employees? What systems do you have in place to recognize and reward your most important asset, your employees?
