Leadership in Turbulent Times, by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Enjoyed this read and a good reminder that turbulent times have existed well before our current state.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38657386-leadership

Profiles of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson gave me a better perspective on each of them and they stand in marked contrast to one specific other example.

As I think about my strong feelings about the honor and integrity or lack thereof by certain leaders I question if I am too critical. As I read of each of these leaders, though, I don't think I am. Even as their (the 4 leaders profiled) drive and ambition, or work styles or positions could lead to some people hating them or burnout among team members, there was a humanity and desire to serve all of America and serve in America's best interests that is not apparent in a more current example. While each of them had their ambition and ego, Kearns Goodwin provided so many examples of where they put country first, ahead of self or party. One specific example being Lincoln's resolve to work as the Civil War wound down on bringing the South back into the fold with a softer touch rather than giving them a rough response to what could be argued treasonous acts against the union of the United States. He didn't refer to them as enemies or traitors, as some now refer to fellow citizens in our current discourse.

It reminds me of some Mattis quotes and commentary:

"When you’re going to a gunfight, bring all your friends with guns,” he writes. “Having fought many times in coalitions, I believe that we need every ally we can bring to the fight.....I have never been on a crowded battlefield, and there is always room for those who want to be there alongside us.”

Mr. Mattis also expresses, in blunt terms, his concern that the current, divisive political climate is harming the country. “What concerns me most as a military man is not our external adversaries; it is our internal divisiveness,” he writes. “We are dividing into hostile tribes cheering against each other, fueled by emotion and a mutual disdain that jeopardizes our future, instead of rediscovering our common ground and finding solutions.”

He adds: “We all know that we’re better than our current politics.”

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Unfortunately, we are not following Melania's plea to "be best", and mixing up, both internally and outside of the U.S., who our friends and enemies are.