Grey Eminence: Fox Conner and the Art of Mentorship

 
 

If you have not heard of Fox Connor you are not alone. Outside the institution of West Point, the experiences of this retired lieutenant general travels under most radars. A enigmatic man who requested nearly all his notes and journals destroyed prior to his death, Fox Connor remains one of the least know but highly influential Officers of modern day. 

In todays leadership environment where mentorship is a word used almost as often as the word transformational, the story of LTG(R) Fox Connor should be a key part of any mentorship formulas. From being a peer of Patton’s, to an educator of Eisenhower’s and a facilitator of Marshall’s, Fox Connor was an iatrical part of the shaping, developing, educating, and challenging of many of the most notable General Officers of the “Greatest Generation”. Lest not ignore the attainment of LTG to boot.  Edward Cox’s book, “Grey Eminence” attempts to sketch out the life and relationships that made up Fox Connor and how his application of mentorship was viewed by many notable leaders as essential to their own success. A great book to start off a new year.

A special thank you to Joe Byerly, creator of the popular blog From the Green Notebook, for introducing Fox Connor to the team.