I’ll have to admit that I really didn’t know too much about Dwight Eisenhower before I read this book other than the fact that he had served as the 34th President of the United States. Dwight Eisenhower’s Leadership Lessons is a book that Amazon listed for free on Kindle a few weeks ago. I downloaded it knowing that I had some time to read coming up. I’m glad I did. This was an enjoyable and quick read with some statements that are great for leaders of all types of organizations.
Below I have listed the items that I highlighted while reading Dwight Eisenhower’s Leadership Lessons.
- Dwight Eisenhower had a keen understanding of the difference between military authority, stemming from raw power, and true leadership, which depends on enlisting people in the leader’s cause. And throughout his presidency, he won people over, persuaded them that they wanted to do things for him, and let them take the credit.
- As the first president to hold televised press briefings, starting in January 1955, Eisenhower used them to showcase his candor.
- Hang in there.
- Pull people together.
- Understand your assets, and use them.
- Do your key work behind the scenes.
- Let your enemies beat themselves.
- When you do show your hand, speak up for big principles.
- What do you stand for, and do your people see you as a champion of big goals and principles? How can you do it better?