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!

Well written history that offers compelling principles for effective leadership.

This is a must read for leaders. Practical truths fleshed out with true stories of great but flawed men. Well written, useful and applicable.

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.

Must read if you want to understand leadership!

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

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.

A favorite book for business and professional development. Favorite lesson: the middle doesn't look or feel like the end.

I appreciate reading the stories and how they can apply to modern situations. All can learn something from these stories & lessons.

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

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.

Great examples. Great encouragement. I loved the different perspective on the founding fathers.