Customer Reviews

The Founding Fathers on Leadership: Classic Teamwork in Changing Times

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

WOW...Get this book! I bought it for the leadership principles, and got caught up in the American Revolution! Phillips shows how Washington, Paine, Franklin, Madison, and the other American heroes plotted and executed the revolution-against all odds. How they set their goals, inspired the masses, turned cowardice into courage, and forged a team of patriots that withstood British onslaughts, freezing weather, and a host of other obstacles that would have stopped normal men in their tracks. But these were not normal men! They were inspired LEADERS-dedicated to the cause of freedom. And they used every leadership principle imaginable to pull off their revolution. Find out HOW they did it! If you want to become a leader in your business, community, or church, read this book! If you want to fall in love with your country, buy a copy of The Founding Fathers On Leadership-and be prepared to order more copies for your friends!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book while learning a great deal from it as Phillips examines the lives and recorded thoughts of those who, "individually and collectively, stepped forward to lead the way" to creating an entirely new nation. "They did so, in part, because they realized from profound change spring new opportunities -- and this was a time when there would be a chance for them to make something happen." Why did their leadership prevail? "Because they understood human nature, they knew that major change is more evolution than revolution; that tyranny and dictatorship are contradictory to the rights of the individual; and that leadership, in and of itself, is actually in harmony with human nature."

After an especially well-written Introduction, Phillips organizes his material within four Parts: Preparing for the Revolution, Mobilizing and Motivating, Winning the War, and finally, After the Revolution. At the beginning of each of the book's 15 chapters, he identifies "team leaders" who personify the qualities of leadership examined in that chapter; then at the end of each chapter, he provides a summary of key points, "The Founding Fathers on Leadership." Phillips is perhaps most eloquent when, in the Epilogue, he observes: "Clearly the founding fathers cleverly and shrewdly designed democracy to foster the art and process of leadership. And in the final analysis, the principles of leadership are nothing less than the principles of humanity: treating people with respect and dignity; raising awareness; creating a vision and involving others; bonding together through alliances and teamwork; risking all; learning from mistakes; refusing to lose; inspiring rather than coercing; listening; compromising; caring; ever changing and ever achieving."

Throughout his book, Phillips includes hundreds of specific examples of these qualities of leadership as they are revealed in the recorded thoughts, feelings, and (especially) the actions of the various founding fathers. He recalls many memorable moments such as when (in 1796) Washington stopped at Valley Forge one last time en route to Mount Vernon and encountered a farmer named Woodman, a veteran of the Continental Army who had also endured the harsh winter at Valley Forge. According to Phillips' account, the farmer greeted his former commander. Of course, no one knows what was said but it can be assumed that each had special significance for the other when meeting at what has since become a national shrine.

There are hundreds (thousands?) of books about "leadership" now available and countless more yet to be written. The best of them, by assertion or by implication, focus on many of the same values which Phillips reveals in such abundance among the founding fathers. To his credit, Phillips suggests rather than imposes the correlations he sees between leaders of the American Revolution and those who most effectively lead organizations in the 21st century. Obviously, their respective circumstances are substantially different in many respects but all of them share certain basic values previously indicated. Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to consult the remarkably eclectic "Bibliography" which Phillips provides. To those works I presume add the separate biographies of John Adams by Ellis and McCullough as well as Ferling's Setting the World Ablaze and O'Toole's The Executive Compass.

Probably the best part of this book is Phillips reenactment of the revolutionary war. I really feel I learned something about the war and its leaders (particularly Washington). All in all this book is put together just as well as Lincoln On Leadership though I didn't find myself completely glued to this one like I was to Lincoln on Leadership. I found the stories (and the subject) more interesting in his Lincoln book. Phillips also seemed more able to nail down his lessons on leadership in his Lincoln book. I recommend this one, but if you have to choose, buy Lincoln On Leadership. It's one of the best books ever written on leadership.

A mentor recommended this book so I picked it up primarily to please him and maybe pick up a few pointers along the way. WOW! Donald T. Phillips has told the story of the American Revolution from a fresh and exciting perspective. I could hardly put the book down. He made it come alive to me as never before. Although I enjoy politics, I had not viewed the events of our history from any point of view other than "What do I need to know about this to PASS THE TEST?!"

You will find this book an INSPIRING GUIDEBOOK if you enjoy history and are an aspiring leader.

I gained an appreciation for the all of our country's founding fathers as it relates to leadership traits that the history textbooks seem to overlook. And prior to reading this book, if asked about George Washington, I would have simply said he was the first president or a founding father of our country. But now, I would talk about this amazing man and how he led a relatively small band of rebels, against nearly insurmountable odds, to win independence from Great Britian, the world's strongest economic and mightiest military force in their day. I would be able to recite what specific leadership traits he possessed that won what may be the greatest achievement of all time.

Phillips' book is an excellent read for understanding how the founding fathers led in our country's early history and how we can apply these concepts today.

Among the interesting points Phillips covers include:

1. Being a team leader and member.
2. Turning a positive into a negative.
3. Be a learner and refuse to lose.
4. Leaders are risk-takers and change agents.
5. Leaders must understand human nature.
6. Leaders create a favorable culture and climate.
7. Excellent leaders are persistent and follow through.
8. Spend time in the field with the troops.

Read and understand that leadership principles that worked in the early history of the U.S. still work today!

Donald Phillips has produced an outstanding work which clearly shows the integrity of the Founding Fathers -- integrity critical to any leaderhsip success. The leaders depicted in this book were willing to give of themselves to insure the success of the mission. To them the mission and the integrity of the process and the product were far more important than any individual.

The leadership depictded in this work stands in sharp contrast to the leadership we see exhibited in our government today -- and beckonds us back to the principles of our Nation's birth -- to be worthy, once again, of the rich blessings endowed upon her by our Creator.

This is a must book for every person seeking the path to effective and moral leadership success.

CASE FOR:
The best part about this book is not some ground-breaking secrets of the founding fathers, but their history that illustrate some important principals of leadership. I was inspired after listening to the book on CD.

He author takes you through their life, battling England, taking you through their successes and failures. After you listen, you understand what really works, and why it is so important to do what is required of the leader. And of course he tells you what it is, he nicely sums it up at the end of each chapter.

He says, "changing times needs new approaches", "The greater the risk, the greater the glory" you will truly understand the meaning of such phrases from that book. I love this quotes, "We must make the best of the men as they are, since we cannot have them as we wish" I believe that was by George Washington.

I got this book on CD already thinking what they can offer me what I haven't already heard, after I was done with it, I was informed and inspired.

CASE AGAINST:
Donald's book finished little low, but in general I enjoyed his book.

A very nice survey of the tumultuous, seminal time in which our nation was born. This format is particularly powerful because the narrative alone could easily carry the reader's interest. Each chapter's subsequent derived leadership principles are value-added.

But the one fault I would assign to the book is the author's aversion to tying the Founding Fathers' faith into their leadership principles and abilities. One of the main influences on their generation was the first Great Awakening of earlier that century. Faith needn't be the main focus of the book, but it would have been very appropriate to give it some place. I was very disappointed, for example, not to read of Franklin's appeal to daily prayer as the turning point of a hopelessly deadlocked Constitutional Convention.

In any case, an excellent story and an excellent book. The generation that founded this nation were exceptional indeed.

During my winter break at SUNY I was looking for a book about American history, but I found something even more interesting. "The Founding Fathers on Leadership" by D. Phillips not only gives an insight of American revolution events, but also provides the leadership principles. Which is, in my opinion, the essence of communication and interaction among people in any settings.
I have been to Philadelphia in a hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed, but the details from the book made my imagination vivid by reading some small details. That Thomas Jefferson had experienced loss of his children and wife just a few months before he started writing the Declaration. How Washington stayed close to the troops and communicated to them his vision.

At the Independence Hall, Philadelphia
"Leadership is leaders acting- as well as caring, inspiring and persuading others to act- for certain shared goals that represent the values- the wants and needs, the aspirations and expectations- of themselves and the people they represent. And the genius of leadership lies in the manner in which leaders care about, visualize, and act on their own and their followers` values and motivations"
The book is structured in chapters where the main American revolution historical events of are described and followed by a summary of principles.
I will quote several principles that I liked most. All of them are thought-provoking and I spend and enjoyable time learning and creating in my mind the situations when they can be applied.
1.Have a pretty good idea of where you want to go before you act or attempt to inspire others
2. Sense your opportunity and seize the moment
3.Make your vision simple and clear so that everyone may understand it
4.Begin communicating your vision slowly and softly so that others may first think it over
5.Collect your thoughts and set your goals down on a paper
6.Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
7.Create an effective team to help achieve your vision and goals
8.When making a decision, gather information and understand the facts, consider various solutions and their consequences, make sure that the decision is consistent with your objectives, and effectively communicate your decision
9.Analyze your situation with a child like point of view, with no past biases
10.Be a frequent reader of a controversial literature of the day
11.Listen then speak; follow then lead
12.Work by day, think by night
13.One inspiring communication can turn the tide
14.Hold regular, informal gatherings that provide enjoyable opportunities for immediate and continuous personal communication
15.Two-way communication has a tendency to create and strengthen emotional bonds
16.Keep people out of trouble by keeping them busy
17. To for a just idea, you must be on the spot
18.Lead by example
19.rest when necessary, but stay close to the competition so as to keep a watchful eye on their actions
20.Never give up hope
21.Share the hardships of the people you lead
22.Keep you sense of humor , even during the worst moments of crisis
23.Don`t simply allow creativity and innovation; encourage it
24. Be smart enough to realize that you cant do it all yourself
25.Frequently, the most effective way to defend is to attack
26.Employ tactics that make your organization seem larger that it is
27.It is natural to think of forming alliances, especially if you are pressed
28.Send out letters to various organizations testing the waters as to whether they might be inclined to enter a joint venture
29.Remember that everyone thinks they know how to manage financial affairs, but few really can do it
30.When you fail to receive help from parent organization, don`t just sit there. Create your own system to solve your needs
31.The larger your organization, the more you must delegate
32.Do not lose sight of your overall mission or be distracted from taking necessary action to achieve that end
33.Trust the experience of error will enable you to act better in the future
34.Upon starting a new assignment, tell everyone that you are there to learn , not to teach
35.Ability to learn+ Action=Effective Leadership
36.When arriving to assume a new leadership position, first respect the culture of the organization as it currently exists
37.When you fight and get beaten, rise and fight again
38.When outnumbered, stay a step ahead of the competition until they wear down and you outnumber them
39.Even with a series of defeats, you may be victorious in the long run
40.Before major action, meet all the members of your team personally. Shake their hands and salute their efforts
41.As a leader you are an agent of change
42.The greater the risk, the greater the glory
43.New problems are often created after a revolution is won
44.It is much easier to inspire movement of masses during a crisis situation that in a time of relative peace.
45.Take the best of the people as they are , since you cannot have them as you wish
46.Changing times require new approaches and new ideas
47.Understanding human nature not only allows you to comprehend the motives and reactions of the people you lead, it also helps you improve yourself
48.Form a culture that will give consistency, stability, and dignity to your organization
49.Combine the past and the present to built a bridge to the future
50.The better any man is, the lower thoughts he has of himself
51.Create small committees to resolve big issues
52.Search for common ground and create Win/Win situation. Remember that compromise is the tool of a true leader
53.Winner attract winners
54.Alway remain optimistic. See a rising sun rather that a setting sun.
55. When introducing radical change, be prepared to be attacked personally- both verbally and physically
56.It is in the nature of people to pursue their own interests
57. Think of every possible question that might arise in opposition to your plan- and then come up with answers to these questions
58.Seize the initiative to educate people through the mass communication methods of the day
59. In order to get to know them better, take your top executives on a fishing expedition- or some enjoyable trip
60.Successful leaders do not sit back on their laurels.
61.The fire of a truly leader is always burning
62.Develop the future leaders. Pass the torch to the next generation

Final analysis from the author :" The principles of leadership are nothing less than the principles of humanity: treating people with respect and dignity; raising awareness; creating a vision and involving others; bonding together through alliances and teamwork; risking all; learning form mistakes; refusing to lose; inspiring rather than coercing; listening; compromising; caring; ever changing and ever achieving"
[...]

Phillips has done an excellent job telling the story of the American Revolution. He captures the courage and heroism of our Founding Fathers. The battles scenes are well-told and convey the daring spirit of the revolutionaries. Moreover, he explains how our early patriots developed their vision of an independent nation and communicated their message to the public. At the same time, he clearly lists key leadership principles used by the founding fathers during each historical event. While reading this book, I was also reading a much longer book on George Washington. The Phillips book better captures George Washington's leadership qualities, and does so in far fewer pages. The leadership principles are explained in ways that are relevant to today's organizational leaders.