Leadership for the Long Haul: Lessons from the Giants
Leadership is rarely forged in the calm. In my experience leading teams—whether they are paid professionals or dedicated volunteers—the moments that define us are almost always the ones that test us.
I’ve recently been immersed in Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Leadership in Turbulent Times. She explores the lives of four U.S. Presidents: Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson. What she discovered—and what I’ve found true in my own coaching—is that great leaders are made, not born. They are shaped by struggle, reflection, and their response to crisis.
The Shared DNA of Greatness
While these four men were vastly different, Goodwin identified five shared themes that allowed them to navigate national crises. As you read these, ask yourself: Which of these is my strongest suit, and which needs growth?
Resilience in Adversity: They didn't just survive setbacks; they used them as fuel.
Clear Moral Purpose: Their leadership was anchored in a vision larger than their own ego.
Empathy & Communication: They possessed a rare ability to connect emotionally with the people they led.
Strategic Team Building: They weren't afraid to surround themselves with people who challenged them.
Adaptability: They threw out the "one-size-fits-all" model to meet the specific demands of their time.
The Four Leadership Archetypes
To help us apply these lessons, we can look at each President as a specific "archetype" of leadership. Which one resonates most with your current role?
| President | Core Principle | The "In a Nutshell" Philosophy |
|---|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln | Moral & Inclusive | Lead with humility and the courage to unite those who disagree with you. |
| Theodore Roosevelt | Energetic & Adaptive | Act decisively, learn constantly, and meet challenges with high energy. |
| Franklin D. Roosevelt | Visionary & Hope-Driven | Inspire confidence in hard times through bold experimentation. |
| Lyndon B. Johnson | Persuasive & Execution | Turn vision into reality through mastery of systems and relationships. |
Moving Toward Self-Awareness
In modern executive coaching, we talk a lot about "self-awareness." While these presidents might not have used that term, they lived it. They led from their unique strengths.
To help you find your own unique leadership style, I’ve put together a few reflection questions. I encourage you to grab a cup of coffee, sit with these, and be honest with yourself:
On Character & Team
What core value guides my hardest decisions?
Who on my team disagrees with me—and do I actually listen to them?
How do I respond when criticism feels personal or unfair?
On Action & Energy
Where am I hesitating right now instead of acting?
What experience outside my professional role is currently shaping my leadership?
How do I model energy and confidence for my team when I’m feeling tired?
On Vision & Persuasion
How do I communicate hope when the future is uncertain?
Do I truly know how decisions are made in my organization, or am I guessing?
Where do I need to press forward even though the momentum has slowed?
