George Washington on Leadership [Hardcover]

Richard Brookhiser (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 13, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0465003028 | ISBN-13: 978-0465003020 | Edition: Edition Unstated

FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE, FIRST IN LEADERSHIP. Richard Brookhiser’s revolutionary biography, Founding Father, took George Washington off the dollar bill and made him live. Now, with his trademark wit and precision, Brookhiser expertly examines the details of Washington’s life that fullscale biographies sweep over, to instruct us in true leadership. George Washington on Leadership is a textbook look at Washington’s three spectacularly successful careers as an executive: general, president, and tycoon. Brookhiser explains how Washington maximized his strengths and overcame his flaws, and inspires us to do likewise. It shows how one man’s struggles and successes 200 years ago can be a model for leaders today. Washington oversaw two startups-the army and the presidency. He chaired the most important meeting in American history-the Constitutional Convention. Washington rose from being a third son who was a major in the militia, to one of the most famous men in the world. At every stage in his career, he had to deal with changing circumstances, from tobacco prices to geopolitics, and with wildly different classes of men, from frontiersmen to aristocrats. Washington’s example is so crucial because of the many firsts he is responsible for.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

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

Review

"Booklist"
"While leaders glean Brookhiser for practical advice, history buffs will be intrigued by his biographical insights."

"National Review"
"In Richard Brookhiser's hands, Washington remains as glorious as ever -- and if some of that glory brushes off on us lowly readers, all the better."

"Wall Street Journal"
"There is inspiration here for all of us, CEO or not..."

"Forbes"
"This is one book on leadership that's well worth the read."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; Edition Unstated edition (May 13, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465003028
• ISBN-13: 978-0465003020
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #817,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Idea July 11, 2008

By Michael P. Maslanka

Format:Hardcover

The Big Idea of this book is that Corporate America can learn a lot about leadership from George, the CEO of two startups:The Revolution and the first administration. And we can. What comes through, again and again, is that Washington put the enterprise ahead of his own needs. He subordinated his ego to what was effective.When some officers were plotting against him ,trying to get Congress to oust him, he remained calm, thought through what to do(he named the game to one in a short note), and it got resolved. He could easily have lashed out, but he did not: he restrained the desire because it would not have moved the ball forward. He never made enemies, taking the long view, knowing that today's enemy is tomorrow's friend. Sort of a cousin to Seinfeld's "friendemy." Good section on how he, as did President Kennedy, asked of others what they could do for their country, telling them at times of crisis, "My brave fellows", meaning "My fellows, be brave" trying to pull the best out of them, knowing he could not do it alone. Though a man of few words, he knew how to use them, and the writing on his address at Newburgh where he snuffed out an impending revolt of unpaid officers has the book's best writing. The idea tails off at the end, with a pointless side trip on "Sex...and Drugs" but still a worthwhile read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Content does not live up to title September 23, 2008

By V. J. Jose

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Washington is one of our greatest leaders -- maybe our greatest over Lincoln, Grant, FDR and Eisenhower.

That's a given, but the content of this book does not live up to its title.

Leadership is the ability to get people to put aside their normal competitive instincts and work together toward a common goal. A winning coach or military officer; a successful CEO and, yes, a winning guerilla chieftan are examples of EFFECTIVE leaders.

The question then is: What behaviors in these men make people want to follow them?

The 7 Leadership Lessons" on the back of the dust cover provide little or nothing practical for someone hoping to improve his or her effectiveness as a leader. They're too broad, too vague.

The author seems muddled in his concept of leadership. Yes, Washington held a leadership position before, during and after the Revolution, but this books does little to tell us why he was EFFECTIVE as a leader.

The subject of leadership needs lots of attention -- especially today.
This book does little to advance the debate.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars History polished... September 10, 2008

By R. Shaffer

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

A fine account of Washington's trials & tribulations during the birth of our Nation as culled from his (and other's of that time) writings; an inside look at the leadership "chess moves" facing political statesmen. This account ranks up there with Machiavelli's "The Prince"...