Customer Reviews

George Washington and the Art of Business: The Leadership Principles of America's First Commander-in-Chief

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In recent years, a great deal of attention has been devoted to one or more of the founding fathers, especially Washington, Jefferson, and Adams. What we have in this volume is Mark McNeilly's analysis of what lessons can be learned from George Washington's leadership as commander-in-chief of the Colonial forces during the War for Independence and then as the new nation's first president. He responds to the question "Why George Washington?" in the Introduction and then, in the first two chapters, he examines "the foundation of Washington's leadership principles" and how the American Revolution was organized in the first two chapters. During the balance of the book, McNeilly identifies and discusses the aforementioned leadership principles and devotes a separate chapter to each.

McNeilly brilliantly juxtaposes his presentation of historical material with the business lessons he believes can be learned from it. I also appreciate the fact that he cites specific companies when doing so. For example, in Chapter 2, he reviews various competitive disadvantages Washington encountered at the outset of the war. "Could I have foreseen what I have experienced and am likely to experience, no consideration upon earth should have induced me to accept this command." Yet, despite all the unexpected problems such as the continuous expiration of enlistments that depleted his forces, the 43 year-old general did not quit. "Washington made his share of mistakes: choosing to defend New York when it was in reality indefensible, not protecting his flank on Long Island Heights, and losing Fort Washington and its garrison. Yet after setback he returned to fight again." McNeilly then focuses his attention on a relevant example in the modern business world, the situation faced by Jong Yong Yun when he became CEO of Samsung Electronics. Like Washington, he used the severe crisis that then existed to make major changes. The integrity and courage of a leader are essential to the success of any such initiatives. In Washington's case, he put his organizational skills to work. "At the same time he was fighting the British and their Hessian allies, Washington was implementing measures to improve the fighting ability and logistical system to ensure the army's survival."

To me, some of the most interesting and most valuable material is provided in Chapter 8 as McNeilly examines the situation after the victory at Yorktown in 1781. Washington was frustrated to see his officers and men so poorly treated by Congress after they had made so many sacrifices under especially difficult conditions. At one point, a core group of officers decided that taking direct action was necessary and began to plan what amounted to a military coup. Their efforts to enlist support became known as the "Newburgh Conspiracy" because their base camp was in Newburgh, New York, where they met on March 15, 1783. Washington thoroughly disapproved of the officers' efforts and met with them, calling their behavior "unmilitary" and "subversive of all order and discipline." Those gathered were not convinced. "Seeing this, Washington pulled from his pocket a letter from Congressman Joseph Jones. After a fumbling attempt to read it, Washington took out a pair of reading glasses, stating, 'Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country.' This act and its accompanying words from the heart did what his prepared speech had not done. Washington's emotional appeal reminded his officers of his own sacrifices and won them back to his side and that of the republic." As McNeilly makes crystal clear, Washington's words and gesture could not possibly have been effective had he not possessed -- and was perceived to possess -- impeccable integrity.

As McNeilly suggests, the same can be said of business executives such as James Burke, CEO of Johnson & Johnson, who immediately demonstrated the right motives and ethical action in 1982 after seven people in the Chicago area died of cyanide poisoning that had been traced to Extra Strength Tylenol capsules. Led by Burke, Johnson & Johnson worked closely with the media to get out as many facts as possible, instituted a nationwide recall of 31 million bottles of Tylenol (then worth an estimated $100-million), and cooperated fully with all law enforcement agencies to solve the mystery. All of this was wholly consistent with the Johnson & Johnson Credo that affirms the company's first responsibility is to "doctors, nurses and patients, to mothers and fathers, and all others who use our products and services."

None of Washington's principles of leadership was unique to him. As McNeilly explains, however, few others throughout history possessed all of them and to the extent that George Washington did. At an early age, he developed self-discipline, strong character, courage, intellectual curiosity, and a preference for innovative ideas. When war came, Washington formulated a vision of what the new nation could become, once victorious. He also developed a strategy that accommodated the colonies' vulnerabilities while maximizing their strengths. Throughout the war, he seized appropriate opportunities while resisting others that involved what he perceived to be excessive risk. He was a quick thinker under pressure and built an effective team of subordinate officers within whom he communicated constantly. He supported an intelligence network to obtain the information he needed to make key decisions. Meanwhile, he cultivated relations with key members of Congress. Later, he played a central role during the Constitutional Convention and then agreed to serve as the new nation's first president. "In that role his wisdom led him to set high standards that future presidents would look to for guidance and by which their terms would be measured." He retired after two terms "to allow new people to implement new ideas and have their turn at leading the country."

Congratulations to Mark McNeilly for providing an abundance of information about George Washington as well as a rigorous and eloquent analysis of his singular greatness. The lessons to be learned from who he was and what he accomplished can guide and inform our own efforts to become, in McNeilly's words, "a better version of ourselves."

This is a great read for professionals at all levels. There is a lesson here for everyone.

Much has been written about Washington's leadership, but this book tells the story from a unique and practical point of view. Marrying his extensive knowledge of American history and corporate strategy, McNeilly focuses on Washington's strong character and illustrates how today's businesses and business leaders can (and do) significantly benefit from employing the same core principles as Washington did hundreds of years ago.

Even a great leader like Washington encountered many obstacles and failures along the way to achieving success and inspiring a nation. Washington can teach us a great deal about how to persevere in the wake of failure, develop a winning strategy, build a strong team, earn the support of your organization, and put aside personal agenda for the sake of the common goal.

McNeilly points out how Washington employed sound principles like integrity, trust, loyalty and restraint to achieve much success in many very difficult situations both on the battleground and in the early days of our political system. He then enlightens the reader by balancing this unique historical perspective with detailed, modern-day examples of business leaders who have experienced similar trials in the corporate realm. It is both clear and inspiring to see that, when challenges are met with the same core principles, one can overcome obstacles, gain trust and ultimately achieve victory. People at all levels in the business world and all stages of personal life can benefit from this.

Mark McNeilly has done an excellent job of presenting clear, explicit points in his book George Washington and the Art of Business. By providing a direct correlation between George Washington's life and character traits with the stages of business and leadership tactics, McNeilly has shown that the main characteristics needed to create a successful business are also those which are needed to be a successful and exceptional leader. Included as well are examples of how these leadership characteristics correlate to building a strong sports team/organization. McNeilly has directly linked the battles of war with the battles of business (teams), and also explains the ways different leaders and different businesses have handled these battles.

This book is very much two-fold. On one hand McNeilly has provided the most important leadership characteristics necessary to be a successful leader in life, in business, and in sports. But also McNeilly has shown that it is not necessarily just having and upholding these characteristics but acting in the integrity of them. Although the characteristics are many and are very difficult to maintain, McNeilly provides a depiction of the stages through which individuals, teams, and businesses evolve. The journey through these stages is not always smooth sailing and prosperous, but very difficult and painful at times. Some of the most valuable lessons are learned through these failures. And a failure in and of itself is only a failure, but a failure that is used as an educational experience is a lesson with the potential to be a future success.

In addition McNeilly has provided the history of George Washington's life which steps a reader through the American Revolution. The United States was built on the results of the American Revolution. Correspondingly, McNeilly has shown that leadership of this country, of business, of any team should be built and formed using the same types of characteristics George Washington, the Father of our Country upheld. He is a true leader, one everyone can learn from, and is the person who should be looked to as the epitome of a leader.

The book is very well organized with explicit points. The examples in George Washington's life, those in businesses, and in some cases those in sport teams/organizations are clearly linked. Each example further defines the main points McNeilly has intended to convey. The book was a quick read due to the organization and clarity of the writing.

I highly recommend the book to many different audiences including but not limited to those intending to improve leadership skills, leaders in business, and those who enjoy US history. Congratulations to Mark McNeilly on his success as an author.

McNeilly does well to remind us that there are fundamentals of leadership that need not be invented, rather they only need be revisited. He does this through a historical context of George Washington's trials and tribulations while concurrently comparing analogous examples in the current business world. Anyone can appreciate how McNeilly paints not only the successes of George Washington but also his failures. It humanizes Washington which makes it easier for aspiring leaders to relate and understand that even the most successful leaders overcame instances fraught with discord or even peril.

Great book, great concept, its like reading two books in one and it includes principles we should all emulate.