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George Washington's Leadership Lessons: What the Father of Our Country Can Teach Us About Effective Leadership and Character
From James Rees, Executive Director of Mount Vernon, comes anenlightening guide to the leadership wisdom of America's first great leader. George Washington was more than just an inspiring battlefield commander; he was critical to the founding and success of the United States ofAmerica. His leadership, his vision, and his courage united a war-torncountry and set the United States on the path to greatness. Washington's historic contribution to this nation--his leadership and his character--are as relevant and valuable today as they have ever been.
This book reveals Washington's character, his leadership, his vision, and most surprising of all, his business skills and acumen. Most people aren't awarethat Washington, while all of the above, was also a successful businessman and visionary entrepreneur.
Exhibiting qualities sorely lacking in so many of our political and business leaders today, Washington remained steadfastly honest and ethical,following guiding principles that would benefit leaders around the world. George Washington's Leadership Lessons reveals a man of true character,worthy of emulation not just in the realm of politics and war, but in allleadership positions.
This book reveals Washington's character, his leadership, his vision, and most surprising of all, his business skills and acumen. Most people aren't awarethat Washington, while all of the above, was also a successful businessman and visionary entrepreneur.
Exhibiting qualities sorely lacking in so many of our political and business leaders today, Washington remained steadfastly honest and ethical,following guiding principles that would benefit leaders around the world. George Washington's Leadership Lessons reveals a man of true character,worthy of emulation not just in the realm of politics and war, but in allleadership positions.
248 pages, Hardcover
First published February 9, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 22, 2020
Good review of George's great-man leadership traits!
his is more or less a good, solid, basic book focusing on George Washington’s leadership traits. The book is divided into three parts: 1. Leadership Lessons, which takes fifteen general leadership traits and gives examples of Washington’s actions demonstrating those traits; 2. Rules of Civility, which takes Washington’s 110 Rules of Civility and gives examples of Washington’s actions demonstrating some of those rules; 3. George Washington, Entrepreneur, which gives examples of Washington’s business activities in five areas (real estate, farming, subsidiary businesses such as grist-milling, fishing, and distilling).
I read the book in order to update my own book, “George Washington’s Liberty Key.” Being, then, more than a little familiar with Washington, I would like to mention a few items possibly confusing to those first reading about Washington. On page 20, Rees implies that Washington wrote his Rules of Civility when he was 16. However, by the time Washington was 16, he was off surveying. Experts cannot quite fix the exact date when Washington wrote his Rules, but it was most certainly between ages 12 and 15. On page 71, Rees mentions that Washington’s neighbor and mentor was Lord Fairfax. Actually, the mentor in question was William Fairfax (of Belvoir), Lord Thomas Fairfax’s cousin. And on a number of pages, Rees compares Washington to a business executive whose star was riding very high in 2007 but probably not as high now.
This all said, I particularly enjoyed a number of fine phrases Rees put forth. Just a couple examples: Washington’s “Yearning for learning.”
“Consistent honesty is a key ingredient of character, and Washington believed that you had to be good before you could be great!”
Bottom-line, as a fellow author, I'd say this is a well-written book devoted to analyzing George Washington through “great man” leadership-trait analysis.
his is more or less a good, solid, basic book focusing on George Washington’s leadership traits. The book is divided into three parts: 1. Leadership Lessons, which takes fifteen general leadership traits and gives examples of Washington’s actions demonstrating those traits; 2. Rules of Civility, which takes Washington’s 110 Rules of Civility and gives examples of Washington’s actions demonstrating some of those rules; 3. George Washington, Entrepreneur, which gives examples of Washington’s business activities in five areas (real estate, farming, subsidiary businesses such as grist-milling, fishing, and distilling).
I read the book in order to update my own book, “George Washington’s Liberty Key.” Being, then, more than a little familiar with Washington, I would like to mention a few items possibly confusing to those first reading about Washington. On page 20, Rees implies that Washington wrote his Rules of Civility when he was 16. However, by the time Washington was 16, he was off surveying. Experts cannot quite fix the exact date when Washington wrote his Rules, but it was most certainly between ages 12 and 15. On page 71, Rees mentions that Washington’s neighbor and mentor was Lord Fairfax. Actually, the mentor in question was William Fairfax (of Belvoir), Lord Thomas Fairfax’s cousin. And on a number of pages, Rees compares Washington to a business executive whose star was riding very high in 2007 but probably not as high now.
This all said, I particularly enjoyed a number of fine phrases Rees put forth. Just a couple examples: Washington’s “Yearning for learning.”
“Consistent honesty is a key ingredient of character, and Washington believed that you had to be good before you could be great!”
Bottom-line, as a fellow author, I'd say this is a well-written book devoted to analyzing George Washington through “great man” leadership-trait analysis.
August 12, 2024
This is my all time favorite book. Is the perfect combination of life lessons, interesting history, and insightful perspectives on respect and being a well rounded man. This will become a yearly read for me
September 15, 2021
Inspirational!
George Washington is a fantastic example of a successful leader. The life of this fabled American hero exemplifies the most significant lessons which are a must for today's leaders to inculcate them in their characters. Most notably, Washington was a successful entrepreneur too, who influenced me as a business student.
Overall, it was a fascinating and motivating read for me, as someone who enjoys reading leadership books.
Here are the key leadership lessons that we can learn from a great, effective and powerful leader such as Washington.
1. A Leader Has Vision
2. A Leader Is Honest
3. A Leader Has Ambition
4. A Leader Is Courageous
5. A Leader Has Self-Control
6. A Leader Takes Personal Responsibility
7. A Leader Is Determined
8. A Leader Has a Strong Work Ethic
9. A Leader Uses Good Judgment
10. A Leader Learns From Mistakes
11. A Leader Is Humble
12. A Leader Does the Research and Development
13. A Leader Values Presentation
14. A Leader Exceeds Expectations
15. A Leader Has Heartfelt Faith
George Washington is a fantastic example of a successful leader. The life of this fabled American hero exemplifies the most significant lessons which are a must for today's leaders to inculcate them in their characters. Most notably, Washington was a successful entrepreneur too, who influenced me as a business student.
Overall, it was a fascinating and motivating read for me, as someone who enjoys reading leadership books.
Here are the key leadership lessons that we can learn from a great, effective and powerful leader such as Washington.
1. A Leader Has Vision
2. A Leader Is Honest
3. A Leader Has Ambition
4. A Leader Is Courageous
5. A Leader Has Self-Control
6. A Leader Takes Personal Responsibility
7. A Leader Is Determined
8. A Leader Has a Strong Work Ethic
9. A Leader Uses Good Judgment
10. A Leader Learns From Mistakes
11. A Leader Is Humble
12. A Leader Does the Research and Development
13. A Leader Values Presentation
14. A Leader Exceeds Expectations
15. A Leader Has Heartfelt Faith
June 4, 2019
I really enjoyed this novel for many reasons. I love American History and this novel expanded my knowledge about the impact of George Washington made on America. Along with learning about George W, I learned what makes a good leader. It inspired me to improve my leadership qualities and recognize what can influence others. It also taught me the importance of these qualities in the real world and how I can apply them in relationships and other situations.
August 24, 2023
George is a Top G. Book does a good job of detailing his life and moral character.
July 7, 2009
I bought this book while visiting Mount Vernon in the Fall of 2007. The book has three parts: the lessons, which were fair enough but did not reveal any secrets; the famous Rules of Civility, which could be pulled off any internet site and most of which are somewhat ludicrous; and a short history of GW as entrepreneur, which included biographical info I had never before read and found informative, if not compelling. For me personally, having read many GW biographies, this book was a stretch to get to 3 stars. But it was useful in providing talking points for discussion with Sierra.
December 5, 2014
One of the best leadership books I've read. Rees breaks down George Washington's leadership style in 15 "lessons." Then, he takes these lessons and incorporates them with examples from the past and present. In addition, Rees includes George Washington's "Rules of Civility" and summarizes Washington's life as an entrepreneur. The result is an interesting, highly applicable treatise on values, principles, and leadership.
May 22, 2013
What a frustrating book. How can someone ruin a book on Washington's leadership? Is that even possible?
Well, James Rees really let me down here. What boring coverage of an inspirational man. How could the author ruin this??
Well, James Rees really let me down here. What boring coverage of an inspirational man. How could the author ruin this??
September 12, 2014
Real lessons of leadership from the father of our country and examples of what he did in different situations to back it up. It was a great and easy read.
I enjoy tidbits of history so this was right up my alley. I would recommend for any history buff/entrepreneur.
I enjoy tidbits of history so this was right up my alley. I would recommend for any history buff/entrepreneur.
February 11, 2010
Not too lengthy (good thing,) and shows glimpses of the greatest U.S. President to ever hold the office.
June 2, 2011
A great look at one of the greatest leaders ever. You can learn a lot from the things George did and said. He truly understood what it meant to be great.
Read
May 1, 2011I should force myself to finish this because it ties into one of the county initiatives, but ugh.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews