Book Review: Creating the Future
Editor's Note: So far, this little corner of Suite101 has not provided any book reviews. This is something I'd like to rectify. Every so often, I will intersperse a book review during our chronological look at the events leading up to and during the American War for Independence. Many of these books, including the one we're about to look at, have been on the bookstore shelves (and, perhaps, in some of your libraries) for several years already. But, for some of you, these reviews will hopefully give you a first look at some of the finer books available on this most important period in American history.
Working professionals who would like to advance their careers by studying the leadership principles and techniques employed during our nation's history should pick up a copy of The Founding Fathers on Leadership: Classic Teamwork in Changing Times. Written by best-selling author Donald T. Phillips, The Founding Fathers on Leadership explores all of our nation's early "team leaders" who forged our independence against incredible odds.
We often see history in very static paradigms, and give little thought to the fact that where we are today is fundamentally due to the courage, wisdom and foresight of the extraordinary men we refer to as our "Founding Fathers." Fortunately, Donald T. Phillips, writer, speaker, and mayor of Fairview, Texas, has given thought to that fact - much thought, in fact.
Phillips burst into the literary ranks in 1992 with his best-selling Lincoln on Leadership, an analysis of Abraham Lincoln's leadership approach during the Civil War. The Founding Fathers on Leadership is his second work in the same genre, and he followed it up with Martin Luther King, Jr. on Leadership, an equally impressive and comprehensive examination of the leadership of America's greatest civil rights champion.
In looking at the American Revolution, however, Phillips explored a challenge that many smaller companies find themselves in nearly every day. When the Founding Fathers sought to "dissolve the political bands" between the American colonies and the mighty British Empire, they were facing a challenge far greater than simply the military war machine the Mother Country had at her disposal. They were, in fact, embarking on a daring voyage into an uncharted future. To borrow a phrase from a rather famous science fiction series, they were truly going "where no one had gone before."
Within that same context, start-up companies find themselves competing in a turbulent environment against larger and better-funded competitors. The coordinated strategy implemented by our nation's Founders bears many pertinent lessons in small business executives today. In addition, this look at the Revolutionary War has valuable advice for aspiring individuals seeking to make their mark in a world dominated by more established personalities and full of grand challenges. And finally, experienced executives seeking to hold on to their piece of the economic pie can learn much from studying the Revolution as well. Not only can they hopefully avoid some of the costly mistakes made by the British, they can also employ some of the same techniques our Founders made use of in competing against their equally strong and viable rivals.
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