7/2/2026 It has been some time since I posted some random thoughts. Life has been busy the last two years adjusting to changes and new circumstances. Change is what life is about however. This weekend celebrates a big change in world history, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, 250 years ago. The men that gathered in Philadelphia in the mid 1770s had no legal authority to cede from England. However, they did. The Continental Congress had met for months before deciding to separate from Britain. Not all favored independence in the beginning. Through the power of persuasion, continued acts of aggression by the King’s Soldiers, and a changing vision for what the role of the European settlers in the New World could accomplish, change came. Those men demonstrated true leadership. Most favored remaining under the King’s rule when they started meeting. All of their reconciliation attempts were rebuffed by Parliament, the Prime Minister, and the King. Congress had limited powers. The commander of their Army really had less. The leaders found ways to sort through the issues and eventually founded a new nation and won the right to remain a nation during the American Revolution. This period of history makes a great study for leaders. There are excellent examples of great leaders and horrible leaders. One of the greatest studies is the life of George Washington. We remember him as the great general and President, but he grew into that position. Likewise, most great leaders have plenty of mistakes, missteps, and foul-ups early in their lives. The difference between those who did well and those who failed is the successful leaders reflected and learned from their mistakes and applied those lessons.

The United States is not alone in such leadership examples. Throughout time and location, many great leaders were found because circumstances required them. Likewise, many dark moments in history are times when good people failed to step up or effectively used their influence to change the direction from bad to good.

In other thoughts, I always encourage new and young leaders to read to learn from others’s mistakes. I have been working on developing a reading list that includes a list of books and articles I found helpful. This database will include a summary of the reading, and some of my favorite highlights and thoughts I had while reading. Look for that before the end of the year.