Influencing: George Washington at his best
In the best selling book 1776 by David McCullough that I'm reading I am continually discovering that George Washington was a master of inspiring people to action...influencing.
Washington, according to what I read was a master influencer. Why do I say that? In times of great peril for our soon to be nation, he was able inspire men to leave their wives, children, home and occupations to fight in what was considered an no win conflict against the most powerful nation in the world at that time, England.
In the book the author relates the story of one man named Joseph Reed, a London-trained Philadelphia lawyer who was only supposed to be an escort to Washington as far as New York. Yet Reed continued on to Cambridge, MA to take the role of Washington's secretary although he had not provided for his family or his law practice. Reed had said Washington had,
expressed himself to me in such terms that I thought myself bound by every tie of duty and honor to comply with his request to help him through the sea of difficulties.
Now to me that's what inspiring people to action is all about. To make them willingly go where they had not or would not go themselves but feel compelled to help the leader bring about amazing results.
Being a history lover and from New England I am enjoying this book for relating a leadership side of George Washington that I had not known or forgotten about, I also love the rich detail of events in my hometown of Watertown, MA or surrounding towns. Can't wait to read more this evening.
Best,
Barb, Leadership Lady
Washington, according to what I read was a master influencer. Why do I say that? In times of great peril for our soon to be nation, he was able inspire men to leave their wives, children, home and occupations to fight in what was considered an no win conflict against the most powerful nation in the world at that time, England.
In the book the author relates the story of one man named Joseph Reed, a London-trained Philadelphia lawyer who was only supposed to be an escort to Washington as far as New York. Yet Reed continued on to Cambridge, MA to take the role of Washington's secretary although he had not provided for his family or his law practice. Reed had said Washington had,
expressed himself to me in such terms that I thought myself bound by every tie of duty and honor to comply with his request to help him through the sea of difficulties.
Now to me that's what inspiring people to action is all about. To make them willingly go where they had not or would not go themselves but feel compelled to help the leader bring about amazing results.
Being a history lover and from New England I am enjoying this book for relating a leadership side of George Washington that I had not known or forgotten about, I also love the rich detail of events in my hometown of Watertown, MA or surrounding towns. Can't wait to read more this evening.
Best,
Barb, Leadership Lady
posted by Barb at
9:20 AM
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