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12 O’Clock High-Episode 109-Leadership Lessons from Harry Truman

Richard Lummis and I are back and we head in a different direction today. This episode begins a three-part podcast series where consider the two principals from a titanic struggle in the early 1950s. It was between President Harry Truman and General Douglas MacArthur. In this Part 1, we consider the leadership lessons from President Harry Truman.
Some of the highlights of this podcast include:

  • Some of the leadership principles of Truman included: (a) do not mistake yourself for the institution; (b) keep a court jester; (c) understand the limits to your power; and (d) don’t worry about being or staying popular.
  • Made peace with your decisions and move on.
  • You can get much more done if you don’t worry about who gets credit.
  • Surround yourself with the top talent and listen to them.
  • Truman’s personal assets included, humility, honesty, intellectual integrity, homespun character and the ability to speak plain truths.

Additional resources
Harry Truman’s Reality-Based Leadership
Leadership Qualities of Harry S. Truman

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