These lessons were gleaned from the wonderful book, Leadership: In Turbulent Time by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

This is one of the best books on leadership, history, and decision making I have read. The author has spent almost 50 years writing about Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson. She summarizes crucial moments each of the four leaders experienced during their lives and, in particular, their time in the White House. Her writing is refreshing, useful, and enjoyable to read. The book is focused on the hardships they each went through and how they lead the nation during different times of crisis. 

I couldn't help relate some of what I gleaned from this book to what we are facing in our country today, right NOW (Summer 2020).

There are 68+ clear lessons she pulls from stories throughout the book, and I want to highlight 10 that are especially useful to keep top of mind for any leader.

Adaptability

• Leaders in turbulent times must be open to experimenting with new plans. Action is the only answer. They should be clear, direct, just, and bold. A good leader needs to acknowledge if a plan has failed and be able to change course quickly to keep the respect of their followers. 

Put Ego Aside

• Only when a leader cares less about his/her reputation than the overall good of the people can the above actions be made. 

Address systemic problems, launch lasting reforms. 

• This doesn’t need much explanation. Without addressing the problems head-on and taking drastic action for the good and equality of the people, a change cannot be felt. 

Lead by example

• Enough said. For reference, all four Presidents were not hiding during any of their crises. They were as close to the people as possible to hear directly from the voices of those most affected.

Restore the spirit and morale of the people

• Is there anything more asked more deeply of a leader. If the oppressed do not feel they have someone fighting directly alongside them, how can they be expected to live respectfully and contribute positively? A leader must balance realism with optimism, but they must make the people feel heard, seen, and hopeful.

Use history to provide perspective

• Something odd to consider is that during the Spanish Flu of 1918 and the flu pandemic of 1968, our country was simultaneously involved in race riots...“History doesn't repeat itself but it often rhymes.” It’s not the same, but it’s still our ignorance if we aren’t learning from our past. 

Be visible and accessible

• Cultivate public support among those directly affected by a crisis. 

Tell the story simply, directly to the people

• A great leader must provide the people with facts followed by what they can expect, and how it’s planning to be executed. 

Set a standard of mutual respect and dignity 

• This should always be the standard any leader's actions are based on, especially during a time of crisis when the actions must be bold, strong, and direct. 

Control anger and keep your temper in check 

• Twitter isn’t known for its calming effect on people, just saying. It shouldn't have to be said but leaders must not degrade or bully any persons.

All 68 lessons:

Abraham Lincoln: 

1. Acknowledge when failed policies demand a change in direction

2. Gather firsthand information, ask questions

3. Find time and space in which to think

4. Exhaust all possibility of compromise before unilateral executive power

5. Anticipate contending viewpoints

6. Assume full responsibility for a pivotal decision

7. Understand the emotional needs of each member of the team

8. Refuse to let past resentments fester

9. Set a standard of mutual respect and dignity, control anger

10. Shield colleagues from blame

11. Maintain perspective in the face of both accolades and abuse

12. Find ways to cope with pressure, maintain balance, and replenish energy (was theatre for him)

13. Keep your word

14. Know when to hold back and when to move forward

15. Combine transactional and transformational leadership

16. Be accessible, easy to approach

17. Put ambition for the collective interest above self-interest

Theodore Roosevelt:

1. Calculate risks of getting involved

2. Secure a reliable understanding of the facts, causes, and conditions of the situation

3. Remain uncommitted in the early stages

4. Use history to provide perspective

5. Be ready to grapple with reversals, abrupt intrusions can unravel all plans

6. Reevaluate options; be ready to adapt as a situation escalates

7. Be visible. Cultivate public support among those directly affected by the crisis

8. Clear the deck to focus with single-mindedness on the crisis

9. Assemble a crisis management team

10. Frame the narrative

11. Keep temper in check

12. Document proceedings each step of the way

13. Control the message in the press

14. Find ways to relieve stress

15. Be ready with multiple strategies, prepare contingent moves

16. Don’t hit unless you have to, but when you hit, hit hard

17. Find ways to save face

18. Share credit for the successful resolution

19. Leave a record behind for the future

Franklin D. Roosevelt

1. Draw an immediate sharp line of demarcation between what has gone before adn what is about to begin

2. Restore confidence to the spirit and morale of the people. Strike the right balance of realism and optimism

3. Infuse a sense of shared purpose and direction

4. Tell people what they can expect and what is expected of them

5. Lead by example

6. Forge a team aligned with action and change

7. Create a gathering pause, a window of time

8. Bring all stakeholders aboard

9. Set a deadline and drive full-bore to meet it

10. Set forth and maintain clear-cut ground rules with the press

11. Tell the story simply, directly to the people

12. Address systemic problems. Launch lasting reforms

13. Be open to experiment. Design flexible systems to deal with new problems

14. Stimulate competition and debate. Encourage creativity

15. Open channels of unfiltered information to supplement and challenge official sources

16. Adapt. Be ready to change course quickly when necessary

Lyndon B. Johnson

1. Make a dramatic start

2. Lead with your strengths

3. Simplify the agenda

4. Establish the most effective order of battle 

5. Honor commitments

6. Drive, drive, drive

7. Master the power of the narrative

8. Rally support around a strategic target

9. Draw a clear line of battle 

10. Impose discipline in the ranks

11. Identify the key to success. Put ego aside

12. Take the measure of the man

13. Set forth a compelling picture of the future

14. The readiness is all

15. Give stakeholders a chance to shape measures from the start

16. Know when to hold back, when to move forward

17. Let celebrations honor the past and provide momentum for the future

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