John Henry Patterson and His Importance to the Community
John Henry Patterson was originally an industrialist and creator of the National Cash Register Company (NCR). He was a significant personality in the business world of the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. John H. Patterson performed a crucial role in the advancement of Dayton, Ohio, and created a lasting effect on the community. The man owned 55 percent of the National Cash Company, and his family owned the rest (Wertenbaker, 1953, 1). In this way, Patterson implemented his vision of business within the organization and the city. He was key in changing the course of business operations by discovering and popularizing the cash register.
Patterson’s influence on the Dayton community extends back to his establishment of NCR, which emerged as a major employer in the area and helped to drive the city’s continued economic development. NCR was a premier manufacturer of cash registers and other commercial processing equipment and was crucial in modernizing and simplifying businesses in the United States the worldwide (Wertenbaker, 1953). The company’s success not only generated workforce, but also attracted qualified workers and specialists to the Dayton area, contributing to the city’s success and prosperity.
In addition, John H. Patterson was known for his community philanthropic activities in Dayton. He sponsored a variety of public initiatives, including education and healthcare, and was prominent in the creation of Miami Valley Hospital and the University of Dayton (Hoover, 2021). His passion for advancing the quality of life in Dayton made him a significant player in the city’s history and progress.
Concepts and Traits of Leadership
One of the leadership traits illustrated by John Henry Patterson, the founder of the National Cash Register Company (NCR), is determination. In the context of leadership, determination refers to a leader’s capability to think imaginatively in order to complete a challenge (Northouse, 2021). These leaders are initiative and strive with the drive to achieve improvement and design solutions that drive advancement and prosperity.
Additionally, determined leaders actively explore ways to upgrade products, services, and processes to maintain a high degree of competition and address evolving needs (Hoover, 2021). John Henry Patterson has demonstrated strong decision-making qualities throughout his career, particularly as the founder of NCR. The most significant innovation of Patterson was the introduction and development of the cash register. His invention transformed the way businesses processed transactions, enhancing the accuracy and transparency of sales.
Patterson also initiated sales and marketing techniques such as innovative sales training programs, product demonstrations, and the utilization of quotas (Hoover, 2021). These techniques were innovative for his time and allowed NCR to thrive. Therefore, Patterson’s capability for constant change played a pivotal role in his history as an effective business leader.
Authoritarian leadership is a style in which the leader maintains substantial control and influence over their employees. They often make choices based on unilateral decisions, demand strict adherence, and make use of fear or threats to maintain accountability and encourage compliance (Northouse, 2021). The leadership style characterized in the quote, “He terrorized them, worked them to death, paid them well, and fired them with impunity,” can be considered an illustration of an authoritarian leadership style (Wertenbaker, 1953, 3). John Henry Patterson at NCR had a reputation as a disciplined and severe leader who used strong rules and high aspirations to enhance the productivity of his workers.
Patterson was also known for providing a rigorous work atmosphere where staff had to perform to high expectations and work long hours. He established ambitious sales quotas and monitored employee productivity carefully (Wertenbaker, 1953). Moreover, some workers described a feeling of fear of Patterson. It is known that he did not hesitate to criticize and even fire employees if they did not perform to his standards. Although, despite his rigorous and authoritarian attitude, Patterson also paid his employees fairly (Wertenbaker, 1953). He provided them with financial incentives to encourage them, which contradicted his authority style but helped recruit and retain talent.
References
Bernstein, M. (n.d.). John H. Patterson–John Patterson rang up success with the incorruptible cashier. Dayton Innovation Legacy. Web.
Hoover, G. (2021). Father of modern sales: The remarkable Mr. Patterson. The American Business History Center. Web.
Northouse, P. G. (2021). Introduction to leadership: Concepts and practice (5th ed.) Sage Publishing.
Wertenbaker, C. (1953). Patterson’s marvelous money box. Saturday Evening Post, 26(14), 1-4.