Steven Wallace
Washington is universally regarded as the “Father of his country.” Under his leadership, many forms and rituals of government are still being used today, such as the Cabinet system and delivering an inaugural address.
But how did George become the great leader that history has recorded him to be? I submit to you the answer is rather uninspiring at first blush. In one simple term, George became great because he lived his life by one simple term: process.
Many times, when we do not like something, it is not because of one major incident. It is because of the accumulation of many little things. For example, if I go to a restaurant and I have to wait for service, the server isn’t polite, or my order is prepared wrong, chances are I’m not going back.
If I had to wait for my meal yet the service and food were awesome, I would probably forgive the delay. Consequently, if my server is polite and engaging, I will most likely forgive any error in food preparation. Add all three transgressions together though, and I’m looking for a new place to eat chow.
So what characteristic of Washington really stands out, even after all these years, that makes both the public and historians alike rate him as one of the top three presidents ever? A quote by Winston Churchill about Washington gives a clue: “Disinterested and courageous, far-sighted and patient, aloof yet direct in manner, inflexible once his mind was made up, Washington possessed the gift of character for which the situation called.”
Character. Samuel Eliot Morison echoed Churchill’s assessment of Washington when he wrote, “Washington’s superiority lay in character, not talents. He had the power of inspiring respect, but not popularity; slow to reach a decision rather than a man of quick perception … yet his dignity came from humility and self-control.”
What a lesson for folks claiming the title of leader: business folks, politicians, moms, dads, you and I. That at the end of the day, we are defined by the process in which we live, not by a few situations. That the most desirable quality to those around us is not our quick wit, ability to solve a problem faster than the next guy or gal, but how we conduct ourselves, both in private and public life.
It is the sum total of the so-called “small decision” that builds character; process is what guides us in making those decisions.
As we see with presidential debates on television, what a candidate has done over the past five or six years is usually not the deciding factor. Rightly or wrongly, potential voters look at a person’s history — the sum total of life’s decisions, both public and private — before they award their vote.
There is another lesson we can take from our first president. In a book he wrote, “110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation,” Washington wrote, “Every action done in Company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present.”
As I watch the debates and listen to the comments of the political “leaders” that are looking for my vote, I am going to watch for signs that indicate their character — or lack of. I am going to look for signs of life process that includes humility and good decision making. I am going to look for signs of mutual respect, even when there is disagreement. After all, if it was good enough for our leaders in 1775, it should be good enough in 2012, too.
UPCOMING EVENTS: January’s regional networking event, Chamber After Hours, is today, 5 to 7 p.m., at the Captain Daniel Stone Inn, 10 Water St., Brunswick. Come and enjoy the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber’s first regional networking event of the year. Business people are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to programs of the Salvation Army in Bath. To register for this event, call 725- 8797, ext. 1.
Chamber members are invited to the ribbon cutting for the new branch of Down East Credit Union and Down East Insurance Agency on Feb. 1, 1 p.m. The new branch is located at 151 Main St., Richmond.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS: SMMC welcomes Bob Bremm, an advicoach (www.Rbremm.advicoach.com).
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