Jervis's impossible standards and effective fleets

Jervis expected subordinates to meet the standards he set for himself and reacted fiercely when they fell short. His favoritism, punishments, and intolerance made him difficult to serve under, yet crews that earned his approval could become intensely loyal. His career poses a contradiction: methods that look like poor leadership on paper repeatedly produced professional officers and efficient fleets. One possible explanation is that sailors accepted his severity because he held himself to the same standards and made earned approval matter.