July 2025 | From Fireworks to Foundations | Enduring Leadership from 1776 to Today
- Mister Mike
- Jul 11
- 3 min read
July 2025
“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
Sir Isaac Newton 1643-1727
On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abagail, famously predicting that the Fourth of July would be celebrated as a "great anniversary festival" and commemorated with "pomp and parade.” He anticipated it would be a day of "solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty" and festivities like "guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations.” John believed it would be a “day of deliverance, celebrated from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward and forevermore," according to the Institute of American History. It is also interesting to note that 50 years later, on the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died about five hours apart, Adams in Massachusetts and Jefferson at his home in Virginia. Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration, was the first to die.
Let’s look at the leadership qualities of these two great leaders and see how their traits are still of value today.
Both men were far from perfect, but both men were by any definition great leaders. Adams “prided himself by never giving up on his principles,” as noted in the great book “John Adams” by David McCullough. He also held his personal principles and integrity as his greatest strengths. Meanwhile, there were times that Jefferson seemed contradictory in his ideals and actions. He is often remembered for his eloquent writing, excellent communication skills, and a very strong desire for “power to the people”. These thoughts are paraphrased from the book “Friends Divided,” by Gordon S. Wood.
Looking back now to these great leaders, we find men who valued principles, communications, integrity, and “the people.” Do we still value these traits, or do we just pass over them? More importantly, do we exhibit these traits in our daily lives? Would those on whose shoulders we stand be proud of us and how we live out these traits in our daily lives Let’s also take a moment to consider those standing on our shoulders to help them properly exhibit these traits.
Let’s also ponder a few more leadership skills from Kaitlen Hughs, Product Marketing Manager, “Brand and Content” (2025). She lists: “Self-awareness, being collaborative, demonstrating passion, open-mindedness, adaptability, flexibility, and being innovative” as highly valuable skills.” I think Adams and Jefferson might be happy and comfortable including Hughs’ list of leadership skills along with theirs. All these strengths still “work” and are valuable today.
The late David McCullough, one of my favorite authors, once said, “There is no such things as history, there are only people. It’s from studying people that we not only learn what to do but we frequently also learn what not to do.” As leaders, let’s continue to look at those on whose shoulders we stand. As usual, I am encouraging you to take a moment and consider just who these people are and what we can learn from them. Just as importantly, look at those standing on our shoulders. Are we talking about and are we demonstrating the skills and mentality they will need if they are to continue to grow as leaders? Adams and Jefferson might be a good place to start this 249th Independence Day.
I hope you had a great Fourth of July, my friends, and that you were able to enjoy some of that “pomp and parade” that John mentioned to Abigail so many years ago.
“Tough times don’t last. Tough teams do.” Robert Schuller
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much” Helen Keller
Michael M. Carney mr.mikecarney@gmail.com
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