Beyond Giants | May Reflection | Leadership Lessons from History’s Quiet Titans

Jonathan M. Carney
Jun 19
3 min read

Leadership is rarely loud. It often whispers from history, leaving traces of timeless principles for those willing to listen closely. In this month's reflection, we take a thoughtful walk with five iconic leaders—Lincoln, Truman, King, Chesty Puller, and Eleanor Roosevelt—and extract not just who they were, but how we can become better because of them.

Key Takeaways from the Giants

1. Abraham Lincoln – Lead with Emotional Intelligence

Know your people.
Build strong alliances.
Persuade rather than coerce.

Lincoln’s genius wasn’t just in oration or policy—it was in listening, understanding, and uniting. His ability to manage a team of rivals is a lesson in inclusive leadership, emotional control, and seeing beyond ego.

Modern Leadership Tactic:

Conduct monthly one-on-one “vision checks” with your team members—not performance reviews, but personal alignment discussions. Understand what drives them outside of work.

2. Harry Truman – Lead Without Needing the Spotlight

Courage, integrity, and humility.
"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."

Truman's decisiveness and moral compass made him a steady hand during one of history’s most turbulent transitions. He reminds us that impact isn’t always recognized in real time—but legacy is built in consistency.

Modern Leadership Tactic:

Create a "no-name wins" board. Post anonymous contributions to reinforce a culture where value matters more than visibility.

3. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Courage is a Process

"Courage is the triumph over fear."
King didn’t ignore fear—he overcame it with purpose.

This powerful distinction reframes bravery: It’s not about feeling nothing—it’s about doing something anyway.Leaders often wait to feel “ready.” Dr. King teaches us to act with purpose even when doubt looms.

Modern Leadership Tactic:

Start “fear journals.” Have team members anonymously share what’s holding them back in a given week. Then host monthly sessions to collaboratively dismantle those barriers.

4. Chesty Puller – Bravery Looks Quiet

"Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid."

Often, the strongest leaders are those who project calm when chaos surrounds them. Chesty's example reminds us that leadership in crisis means absorbing fear so others don’t feel it.

Modern Leadership Tactic:

In high-pressure situations, lead with questions, not orders. Pause. Ask your team: “What do you need from me right now?” It’s a posture of support, not command.

5. Eleanor Roosevelt – Empower, Don’t Dominate

"The leader leads, and the boss drives."
"No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all of the credit."

Eleanor Roosevelt was a pioneer in quiet strength and outspoken truth. She exemplified service-first leadership, the kind that raises others up to their highest potential.

Modern Leadership Tactic:

Implement “task-sharing reviews.” Quarterly, ask your team what tasks they’d like to own—and which they’re ready to pass on. This builds autonomy and confidence.

Bonus Reflection: The Ice Bucket Ritual

The note about Jefferson—and now others—starting the day with their feet in ice water might seem odd. But there’s truth hidden in discomfort: resilience is forged in rituals of difficulty. Whether it’s an icy start or a hard conversation, great leaders embrace discomfort as preparation for the day’s unknowns.

Modern Leadership Tactic:

Start your day with one difficult, proactive decision. Make the call, write the note, or have the hard conversation—before checking email.

Final Thoughts: Leadership is a Legacy, Not a Title

We often look for leadership in those with titles. But history shows us that leadership lives in daily decisions, emotional intelligence, courage in fear, and relentless commitment to doing what’s right—even when it’s hard, even when no one’s watching.

Whether you're leading a team of 50, a family of 4, or just trying to lead yourself a bit better this week, these giants remind us: