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The Founding Fathers on Leadership: Classic Teamwork in Changing Times
An exciting business primer based on the country-building strategies that sprang from the ingenuity, resourcefulness, determination, desperation & passion of America's founding fathers.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
32 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
Donald T. Phillips
43 books30 followersDonald T. Phillips is a nonfiction writer. He has written or coauthored 20 books, including a trilogy on American leadership (Lincoln on Leadership, The Founding Fathers on Leadership, and Martin Luther King Jr. on Leadership).
Phillips has also collaborated on books with several celebrities, including: Norman Brinker, Mike Krzyzewski, Phil Mickelson, Rudy Ruettiger, Greg Norman, Cal Ripken Jr., and Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez.
Phillips has also collaborated on books with several celebrities, including: Norman Brinker, Mike Krzyzewski, Phil Mickelson, Rudy Ruettiger, Greg Norman, Cal Ripken Jr., and Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 7, 2024
Contrary to the title, there's a lot more history in this book than leadership lessons. Phillips narrates an engaging recounting of the the early United States, from the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, through the hard years of the American Revolution (~1775-1783), through the end of the 18th century when the American colonies formed a fledgling united government after the war. As the title alludes to, the central characters in these stories and subsequent leadership lessons are founding fathers, notably George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Thomas Paine. The book is presented largely chronologically with Phillips interjecting in salienting leadership lessons at the end of each chapter. I found this book to be a nice, high level summary of the American Revolution (not what I was expecting going in, and more accessible than academic books by scholars and historians).
My statistics:
Book 145 for 2024
Book 1748 cumulatively
Further reading: leadership pearls taught by historical examples
Lincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times (also by Donald Phillips)
Making a Difference: Stories of Vision and Courage from America's Leaders by Sully Sullenberger
My statistics:
Book 145 for 2024
Book 1748 cumulatively
Further reading: leadership pearls taught by historical examples
Lincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times (also by Donald Phillips)
Making a Difference: Stories of Vision and Courage from America's Leaders by Sully Sullenberger
June 12, 2010
The Founding Fathers on Leadership is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Probably among the top of my list, it takes the leadership lessons of the Founding Fathers and underscores them in order to be used in today’s business environment. This is an inspiring and informative work. There are few greater challenges than those that this country faced at its inception. This book discusses how exceptional individuals worked together to accomplish the extraordinary to persevere against incredible odds.
Sacrifice! It is amazing to me that George Washington and many other Founding Fathers never received compensation for their positions throughout Independence. In fact, they used much of their own money to fund the war effort. It is also interesting how many sacrificed life and limb to achieve Independence, and then turn that independence into an opportunity to shape a nation built on a superior government system for the people. Many sacrificed their wealth, political careers, and families for the cause.
The book format makes it easily understandable and entertaining to read. In the beginning of each chapter, “team leaders” are identified and examined based on their actions. Key points are summarized and explained. The contents of the book provide for many lessons on leadership based on real experiences under dire circumstances that effect us to this day.
Sacrifice! It is amazing to me that George Washington and many other Founding Fathers never received compensation for their positions throughout Independence. In fact, they used much of their own money to fund the war effort. It is also interesting how many sacrificed life and limb to achieve Independence, and then turn that independence into an opportunity to shape a nation built on a superior government system for the people. Many sacrificed their wealth, political careers, and families for the cause.
The book format makes it easily understandable and entertaining to read. In the beginning of each chapter, “team leaders” are identified and examined based on their actions. Key points are summarized and explained. The contents of the book provide for many lessons on leadership based on real experiences under dire circumstances that effect us to this day.
March 10, 2011
The founding fathers on leadership
The first half starts off with some interesting stories and insightful lessons, but the 2nd half of the book is much weaker.
It's interesting that George Washington's strategy for battle with England was very similar to 毛泽东's strategy for fighting 蒋介石 and the nationalists, and has a lot in common with Vietnam and Iraq's resistance to American occupation. So in 1776 Americans knew how to fight a war, and knew how to run an economy, but somehow they forgot.
The next book in this series is Martin Luther King on Leadership, which I expect is very much worth reading.The founding fathers on leadership
The first half starts off with some interesting stories and insightful lessons, but the 2nd half of the book is much weaker.
It's interesting that George Washington's strategy for battle with England was very similar to 毛泽东's strategy for fighting 蒋介石 and the nationalists, and has a lot in common with Vietnam and Iraq's resistance to American occupation. So in 1776 Americans knew how to fight a war, and knew how to run an economy, but somehow they forgot.
The next book in this series is Martin Luther King on Leadership, which I expect is very much worth reading.
The first half starts off with some interesting stories and insightful lessons, but the 2nd half of the book is much weaker.
It's interesting that George Washington's strategy for battle with England was very similar to 毛泽东's strategy for fighting 蒋介石 and the nationalists, and has a lot in common with Vietnam and Iraq's resistance to American occupation. So in 1776 Americans knew how to fight a war, and knew how to run an economy, but somehow they forgot.
The next book in this series is Martin Luther King on Leadership, which I expect is very much worth reading.The founding fathers on leadership
The first half starts off with some interesting stories and insightful lessons, but the 2nd half of the book is much weaker.
It's interesting that George Washington's strategy for battle with England was very similar to 毛泽东's strategy for fighting 蒋介石 and the nationalists, and has a lot in common with Vietnam and Iraq's resistance to American occupation. So in 1776 Americans knew how to fight a war, and knew how to run an economy, but somehow they forgot.
The next book in this series is Martin Luther King on Leadership, which I expect is very much worth reading.
November 9, 2023
A noteworthy book which reflects upon the revolutionary ideas, war, and founding of America through the lens of effective leadership. It clearly and logically breaks down lessons through historical examples and remains reflective on how applicable they are to modern leadership roles and influence over people and organizations.
While a good book (3.5 stars?), it’s held back by the frequent off topic ramblings which felt more like the author wanted to tell a neat story about the subjects and tried to squeeze it in somewhere. It could be shortened by a lot without losing any of its meaning or impact, but still a recommended book for leaders.
While a good book (3.5 stars?), it’s held back by the frequent off topic ramblings which felt more like the author wanted to tell a neat story about the subjects and tried to squeeze it in somewhere. It could be shortened by a lot without losing any of its meaning or impact, but still a recommended book for leaders.
March 5, 2020
I like the way he presents each chapter by extracting the leadership qualities and actions in the chapter examples. It is very clearly written and keeps your interest throughout.
In this election year (2020) it should be required reading for all voters to understand what true leadership qualities are.
In this election year (2020) it should be required reading for all voters to understand what true leadership qualities are.
November 6, 2021
very very enjoyable! some obvious bias toward centralization and democratic thinking (like dude, why you throwing shade on my man Patrick Henry, he was right 😂), but written exceedingly well. I'm not sure I've ever read through a history book that fast haha
would recommend!
would recommend!
February 7, 2025
Great book focusing on the major events upon the creation of the USA and how leadership from men like Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Paine, and etc, guided the new country through some of the toughest times.
December 21, 2020
This is a must read for leaders. Practical truths fleshed out with true stories of great but flawed men. Well written, useful and applicable.
December 30, 2020
I appreciate reading the stories and how they can apply to modern situations. All can learn something from these stories & lessons.
July 10, 2018
Preparing for a class on leadership, I reread this from a few years back. I did not try to read it all at once but rather took time as I developed some lessons bit by bit; it could be read in a few days or possibly one or two for extremely fast readers. It's got some solid stories in the first half, and there are some interesting applications in the second part of the book. I am going to use it in referencing how to look for lessons leaders gave in the past and how to apply those same observations to leadership (or lack of leadership) in our current world.
September 27, 2009
I really liked this book. If you like history and enjoy reading about management, then you will like it also. There is a lot to learn from the founding fathers. They say the potential in the union of the states and risked everything to bring their vision to fruition. They had a vision and were able to get others to follow along.
I would have given it 5 stars but there were some repeating stories that didn't flow and some of the connections to leadership where a stretch. The overall outline is great.
I would have given it 5 stars but there were some repeating stories that didn't flow and some of the connections to leadership where a stretch. The overall outline is great.
April 9, 2010
I've found that most biographical leadership books take cliche, ubiquitous leadership principles and provide moderately interesting anecdotes to support these universally held principles. Just as most romantic comedies are neither romantic nor humorous, I've found this genre of books to be neither biography nor leadership (as far as fresh insight goes).
I'm done with them. If you want to read a biography, read a biography. If you want to read a leadership book, read a leadership book. And if you want to watch a romantic comedy, read Jane Austen.
I'm done with them. If you want to read a biography, read a biography. If you want to read a leadership book, read a leadership book. And if you want to watch a romantic comedy, read Jane Austen.
March 6, 2013
I had just finished a leadership class when I was introduced to this book. Being a Virginian I was interested in the subject matter, but arrogant enough to think it was below my level. Donald Phillips does a marvelous job exploring the leadership characteristics of our founding fathers. By exploring their leadership abilities of getting things accomplished you gain a fabulous understanding of them and how our country began. For me, this book the best reasons why George Washington became our first president.
July 24, 2011
READ DEC 2009
Good balance between US history and leadership principles. Best quote: "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" (p. 250).
Good balance between US history and leadership principles. Best quote: "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" (p. 250).
July 7, 2016
This book contains enough historical commentary to make it a valuable volume on American History... Then the author applies that history to modern business leadership making for an invaluable read. It is filled with quotes of the founders of the American Government - valuable insights and life lessons. Whether a student of American History or Business Leadership -- this is a good read...
December 15, 2010
An excellent history of the leaders of our nation from before declaring independence through the Revolutionary War and creating our unique form of government. The leadership tips summarized at the end of each chapter are priceless.
March 11, 2016
Honestly, I read through it very quickly and didn't take the time to enjoy it. I should probably reread it so I appreciate it more. I did like the narratives that were included to demonstrate the leadership principles being explained.
June 6, 2009
I am reading this for my "Profiles in Leadership" class, but it is very good and perfect for this time of year with an election coming up. Too bad George Washington isn't around still to run!
March 19, 2011
Just an OK book quoting the history of the US. Not much insight gained.
July 29, 2011
Great examples. Great encouragement. I loved the different perspective on the founding fathers.
February 4, 2012
Well written history that offers compelling principles for effective leadership.
December 21, 2022
A favorite book for business and professional development. Favorite lesson: the middle doesn't look or feel like the end.
October 17, 2013
Thoughtful, engaging and full of common sense and food for thought.
October 24, 2014
Must read if you want to understand leadership!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews