George Washington on Leadership
In the guise of a management consultant, historian Brookhiser informs readers that George Washington used the hub-and-spoke system; was a shrewd talent scout; handled smart people well; was on top of essential details; and mastered his temper. Author of several superpopular titles about the Founders, Brookhiser, with casual diction and his customary wit, distills leadership lessons from Washington’s three occupations—business operator, military officer, and politician. Noting the universal problem of leadership, choosing from competing advice for dealing with problems, Brookhiser elaborates on how Washington did so by ranging across Washington’s life, collecting disparate incidents from youth or maturity to make a common point. Washington made his share of mistakes, admits Brookhiser, but learned from them and appreciated the value of effective PR. He famously melted the hearts of mutineers in 1783 by apologizing for going blind in the service of his country—and putting on spectacles they’d never seen. Could a CEO squelch a boardroom rebellion with the same stunt? While leaders glean Brookhiser for practical advice, history buffs will be intrigued by his biographical insights. --Gilbert Taylor