Memorial Day and Leadership

We have made it Memorial Day. The unofficial beginning of summer although, here in the Northeast, the weather is trying to get past 60 degrees. Memorial Day is a wonderful three day holiday that usually has some aspect of youth baseball games, cook-outs, parades and time with friends and family. It is a weekend to set aside the minutiae of the day to day to enjoy the outdoors even if it is a little too cold to head to the beach.

Memorial Day is also about remembering all those who served in the military and most importantly those that gave their lives to protect our way of living here in the United States. I am reminded of my dad, who served in the Army during Vietnam. I think of my uncle, who graduated from Annapolis and flew naval jets. I think of my friend Mike who is a Full Bird Colonel in the Army and currently the Chief of Staff of Arlington National Cemetery. Finally, I think of the dozes of other friends and family members who served, including my cousins and aunts and grandfather. Thank you for what you do and what you have done!

On two recent podcasts that I did, the host asked me about books that I read. The reality is that I don't read many business books. Yes, I have read Tom Peters, Tony Robbins and Robert Kiyosaki. They are all brilliant books and enjoyable reads. However, what I like to read is Historical books and Autobiographies. I am a history buff and I am reminded of that every Memorial Day as I watch the History Channel or the Smithsonian Channel. To me, there is no greater leadership then what we have seen from individuals who led during the most difficult times of our country and the world.

I think of George Washington, who took a rag tag army that wasn't paid, had little food and no shoes on their feet yet decided to fight for a cause that was beyond anything they could have thought. In turn, he took this small army and was able to defeat, Great Britain, the greatest military of their time. He did this by being calculated, predicting and keeping hopes up when all seemed lost.

What about Abraham Lincoln? He wore the challenges of the country on his sleeve and on his face. He surrounded himself with brilliant individuals who guided the North to victory during the most difficult time in our young country. Yet, his one flaw was that he could not find that one general that believed the Union could win and would bring the fight to the south until he met Ulysses S. Grant.

In many aspects Grant saved the Union and the country. He was methodical, understood tactics and believed in his troops and they believe in him. Together, Grant and Lincoln showed tremendous leadership capabilities that propelled the country forward.

During World War 2, we were introduced to a cast of characters that changed what leadership in times of strife met. Winston Churchill willed a country to stay vigilant, worked with the United States to coordinate one of the greatest offensives in our lifetime, and kept the will of the British people strong while they were bombed every night.

In the United States we were introduced to individuals like Eisenhower, FDR, Truman, MacArthur Lemay, Nimitz, Patton and so many others. They were drive to do what they could to insure that our way of life would persevere. They built a whole mechanized army out of nothing. They got the most out of everyone. Their leadership skills and overcoming the odds may not be seen in military leadership ever again.

If leadership is important to you in your organization and you like to read, I suggest reading biographies and books on some of these individuals. It will give you insight into how leadership plays out when the world around you is crumbling. Leadership during the most stressful times of life. Sprinkle these books in with your other books regarding business. Trust me, you will be glad that you did.

Wishing you all a wonderful Memorial Day with friends and family. For me, I will be at baseball games all day for my kids and I couldn't think of a better place to be.