To many, the leaders of the American Revolution are distant men of myth—stoic, heroic, and unknowable. Though people take for granted that these men were brilliant, they rarely ask why. What distinguished them from their fellow citizens … then and now? What practical lessons can they teach about leadership and about realizing both career and personal goals?

Founding Leadership reveals the all-too-human side of these “marble men,” examining the words, deeds, and personal qualities that allowed Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton, and others to achieve their utopian aims. Taylor demonstrates that effective leadership requires more than perseverance and a laundry list of how-to steps. It requires leaders to conceive visions greater than themselves, communicating and executing those visions in ways that inspire, persuade, and motivate others. In examining historical episodes both famous and obscure, Taylor uncovers the light and dark sides of power, including the motivations behind Benedict Arnold’s infamous betrayal. Through these fascinating studies, readers become more attuned to America’s past and—most importantly—to their own leadership potential.