Essays From West of 98: Leadership to Aspire to
The following is a lightly edited version of an essay that originally ran on Presidents’ Day in 2020. Every Presidents’ Day, I find it vitally important to consider the essential qualities of a good leader and I encourage you to do so as well.
In the past, I have devoted Presidents’ Day essays to individual holders of the office. Today, I’m thinking about the presidency in general. I’m thinking of the men who held the office, the men and women who will hold it in the future, and what we can learn from their leadership. It is impossible to create a definitive ranking of Presidents. Rankings are colored by political views and often shift wildly with time. Harry Truman left office with poor approval ratings but is highly regarded today, often as one of our ten best Presidents. In general, though, the best and worst are obvious. Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt are universally praised (there’s a reason why they appear on Mount Rushmore). The bottom of every ranking includes the likes of Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, and Harding.
But what do presidential stories tell us? Some lessons are simple. Our worst Presidents were corrupt or found themselves unable or unwilling to lead and make firm decisions in times of crisis. There’s no one path to the top of the list. Our highly regarded Presidents came from all backgrounds and led in very different ways.
Washington was born into Virginia aristocracy and became a wealthy entrepreneur. Jefferson was thrust into land ownership at a young age, but his true passion was science and philosophy. Lincoln became a lawyer and worked his way from frontier poverty to respectability and influence. Theodore Roosevelt was a wealthy sickly child who became an extraordinary outdoorsman, writer, and amateur naturalist. Harry Truman owned a clothing store and is the last President without a college degree.
The image of a President is as an excellent orator. That’s not required, but strong oration in crisis can be helpful. Lincoln gave some of our country’s greatest speeches amidst its darkest hours. Franklin Roosevelt comforted a frightened public during economic depression and enemy attack. On the other hand, Washington’s second inaugural address was a mere 134 words (roughly the length of the two paragraphs preceding this one). Washington’s words were rarely ostentatious, but always powerful and direct.
There is a maddening trend that our elected officials must “look the part,” which flies in the face of history. We’ve not had a bald or balding President since Ford. We have not elected one since Eisenhower and LBJ. Except for some minor sideburns, no President has had facial hair since Taft over a century ago. Abraham Lincoln was tall, ungainly, and sported a beard to hide his lantern jaw. James Madison was 5’4” and weighed 100 pounds, tops. Both were excellent Presidents, but from looks alone, neither is electable today. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live in a country that passed on Madison’s brain or Lincoln’s leadership merely because of their look.
A good President need not look a certain way. A good President need not have a certain background. We’ve elected nerds, athletes, farmers, lawyers, salesmen, and soldiers. Great speaking ability helps but isn’t necessary. Sometimes speaking ability masks other, much more important flaws. Above all, good Presidents lead boldly. They are unafraid to make decisions and stand behind them. The inability to lead boldly is probably the most likely characteristic of a bad President.
Finally, good Presidents do what they say they’ll do. That brings me to James K. Polk, one of our most underrated Presidents. When nominated in 1844, Polk vowed to serve one term and accomplish four primary goals: 1) re-establish an independent Treasury; 2) reduce tariffs; 3) acquire some or all the Oregon region of the Pacific Northwest; and 3) acquire California and its valuable harbors. Polk accomplished all four goals in four years. Rather than ride high on success, he declined to seek re-election in 1848 and fulfilled his pledge to serve only one term.
On this Presidents’ Day, let us look to the examples of bold leaders who did what they said they would do. May we seek and demand leaders with those same qualities at every level of government—local, state, and national—whether they look the part or not.
James Decker is the Mayor of Stamford, Texas and the creator of the West of 98 website and podcast. Contact James and subscribe to these essays at westof98.substack.com and subscribe to West of 98 wherever podcasts are found.