When writing reveals character

We are taken with a short speech General Dwight Eisenhower prepared but never delivered 75 years ago last month. Written on the eve of the Normandy invasion, the speech addresses the failure of D-Day, and makes clear who is responsible. "Our landings have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold, and I have withdrawn the troops," Eisenhower writes. "My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available.... If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone."

We can learn a lot from Eisenhower's writing, which is spare, concise and stripped of the passive voice. Even his edits are instructive. He assumes responsibility for the campaign and uses language that ordinary people can understand. "This particular operation" becomes "my decision to attack."

Eisenhower put the speech in his wallet, posterity in mind. Today, leaders can learn from this example – how to communicate with clarity and authenticity.