Pictured: Marshal V.I. Chuikov at the walls of the Serebryano-Prudskaya (Silver Ponds) school, 1970s.
In August of 2023, I began a new semester and a new adventure—one that has taken me through a whirlwind of activity in my second year as a full-time faculty member. However, one thing remains constant—my commitment to continuing research on the life and work of Marshal Chuikov. Although my schedule has precluded me from writing as much as I would like, I am still exploring new topics with the hope of publishing one day. In the meantime, I will continue to share my thoughts on my blog and with my students as I am able.
The recent discovery of a particular photograph of Marshal Chuikov (the photo displayed above) caused me to consider how deeply respected and revered he was—and still is—not only in his native land but across the globe. What strikes me about this image is Vasily Ivanovich’s gentle smile and the genuine delight he exudes as he waves both hands at his admirers. In the Western world, we would say that Chuikov was a “rockstar”—a legendary leader during his lifetime whose influence is still felt strongly today. No doubt this is due at least in part to his authenticity—the topic of numerous writers, which inspired many of my blog entries.
In reviewing web resources on authentic leadership, I discovered a few superlative characteristics befitting the Marshal himself. Master-certified leadership coach and presenter Joshua Miller shared several signs indicative of an authentic leader, highlighted below in italics:
Authentic leaders know who they are and what they stand for.
Based on my research of his writings as well as those who wrote about their experiences in serving with him, Vasily Ivanovich knew his own mind. Deeply inspired as a young man upon hearing one of Lenin’s speeches in the summer of 1918, Chuikov understood his life’s purpose—to be a “man with a gun” protecting the common people.
Moving forward, his life was filled with many years of active service to his country in the military and beyond. Soviet Marshals and Deputies of the Supreme Soviet lived full lives of working for the public good. During the zenith of Chuikov’s career in the early 1960s, he held various posts simultaneously—Chief of the Soviet Ground Forces, Chief of the Civil Defense, Deputy Minister of Defense, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, as well as a Deputy of the Supreme Soviet.
Authentic leaders possess courage.
In his memoir titled A Soldier’s Duty, Marshal Rokossovsky shared the following reflection which captures this tenet well: “Chuikov was rude, but in war, especially in the conditions in which he had to be, it was perhaps difficult to be different. Only someone like him could stand and hold this edge of the earth in his hands. The courage and dedication of the army commander were a living example for his subordinates, and this greatly contributed to the resilience shown by all the army personnel who fought for the city."
Authentic leaders speak tough truths comfortably.
When Vasily Ivanovich was assigned to command the 62nd Army in September 1942, he knew the situation at the battlefront involved intense fighting in a frantic attempt to hold the city of Stalingrad. In connecting with the troops during this desperate time, Chuikov spoke frankly and directly with his soldiers about the intolerable shortages of supplies. He communicated his desire to listen to his troops and pledged to provide as much support as possible. Those difficult days required determined leaders who were willing to advocate for their soldiers and motivate others by being actively present at the front with their troops.
Authentic leaders honor others, openly.
During the Great Patriotic War, Chuikov encouraged and rewarded initiative among the ranks. He was swift to recognize soldiers for their contributions and was certain to spread the news of such accomplishments throughout the 62nd Army. One well-known instance of this tendency involved the celebrated Soviet sniper, Vasily Zaitsev. He was credited with the famous saying, “There is no land for us beyond the Volga” (Za Volgoy dlya nas zemli nyet). This statement became a mantra for the defenders of Stalingrad, inspiring soldiers to hold fast.