Hail to the Chief

February 20, 2023?

Dear Leaders,?

Presidents’ Day in the USA, the day we celebrate the birthdays of our greatest chief executives who coincidentally had birthdays in February:?George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and a more recent (and unofficial) addition:? Ronald Reagan.?More than just holders of the position and occupants of the White House, these men met great challenges, forged history, and set standards for leadership that merit commemoration and emulation, for although you as a leader might not serve in such a high position, you can gain from their wisdom and experience. ?

George Washington set the standard that remains to this day.?Elected in a new country that was created rather than evolved, having successfully led the nascent Continental Army in the American Revolution, he found himself dealing with a new position and concept in not being a monarch and not being part of the elected legislative body.?Through a bit of trial and error, he enshrined the Constitutional separation of powers, deriving solutions to problems that other leaders had hitherto not faced due to the sheer newness of the governmental concepts.?After two terms in office, he established the tradition that one person does not rule indefinitely.???

Abraham Lincoln became president in a hotly contested election at the time of greatest peril in our nation’s history.?A country extremely divided on the issue of slavery elected the man from the new Republican Party that ran expressly on the platform of eliminating slavery.?Southern states rejected the results and claimed succession from the Union, leading to the Civil War.?The burdens of office were heavy on his shoulders, for he had to first overcome the perception that he was a backwoods bumpkin.?Early in his career, his cabinet officers reached a decision on an issue, only to be corrected by President Lincoln who told them it was not decided because he had not decided it.?Continuously working to establish his authority, he had to manage the war, notably contending with reticent generals, many of whom he replaced.?A fickle public exacerbated the situation, yet he was successfully re-elected, and more importantly, worked with Congress to pass the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery, only to have his plans for national reconciliation after the war cut short by an assassin’s bullet.???

Reagan came in a different century and a different time of challenge.?A nation demoralized, rampant inflation, unemployment, malaise, many calling it the end of American ascendancy.?He expressly rejected that notion, and set about remaking the American government, scaling back the its immensity, rebuilding the defense structure, and openly confronting the Soviet Union, laying the groundwork for the collapse of the communist empire.?When he left office eight years later, he not only righted the ship of state that seemed to be sinking, he set sail for new horizons.??

These men recognized as great presidents are not alone, as others are remembered for strong and groundbreaking leadership (Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt), while lesser men are infamous for great failures (James Buchanan and Herbert Hoover), corruption on their watch (Ulysses Grant and Warren Harding), or taking a dark turn away from the rule of law (Richard Nixon and Donald Trump).??

Leaders who rise to the occasion of greatness when faced with challenges are those who we remember and emulate.?They have the vision, see the future, know what needs to be done, take charge, listen to others but make the decisions, celebrate success and triumph, and don’t let setbacks define them.?Our great presidents were human.?They made mistakes, experienced failure, and did not get everything they wanted.?They were nonetheless leaders who understood that the office to which they were elected required principled presence in servant leadership. ?

We who serve in leadership positions, regardless of the size and level, are no different in leading on principle and in service to others.?Your picture might not appear on a coin and bill, and even if your name never graces public buildings and schools, you will be nonetheless recognized and remembered for your leadership when you do so.??????

Sincerely,

Tim