Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt Leadership
Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt (1858-1919)
American president (pictured right) whose greatest legacy was his strong support for
conservation, years before the dangers of climate
change were known.
Related to Franklin and Eleonor Roosevelt and famous for
teddy bears, named after him following his refusal to kill a bear on a hunting trip.
Why was he a great
leader?
1. Purpose
Morality (see point 2) and conservation were his main aims as
president, creating six new national parks including the Grand Canyon, despite fierce opposition from mining
companies.
“United action in the wise use of our natural resources” was a national duty, he said,
and, if America didn’t have the foresight to do it, “dark will be the future”.
He was also a great patriot saying that people should be 100% American and not a hyphenated American (e.g.
Irish-American).
2. Moral courage
He believed that morality (from unselfishness, honesty, courage and decency) is the most
important thing for a leader to encourage because good people make a good country.
“To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society”, he said.
He was resolute in his defence of ordinary people.
He was the first president to invite a black man, Booker T. Washington (pictured right),
to the White House. But Roosevelt's attitude towards blacks hardened later.
He consistently attacked the power of big business and “ruthless efficiency” that put
profit before people.
“No man is above the law”, he said.
3. Determination
With the help of his loving parents, he battled through suffocating asthma as a child.
He also had to cope with the devastating blows of his dear father’s death, when he was 19, and the death of his
first wife in 1884 and an assassination attempt in 1903.
4. Fearless ambition and self-confidence
Perhaps reminded of life’s value from his father’s (pictured right) early death, he pushed himself
physically and mentally.
For example, he ordered the building of the Panama Canal after supporting a revolution in Colombia to make it
happen!
5. Reflection before action
He mixed bold action (see point 4) with caution and quiet
consideration of the available options. Then he acted quickly and decisively.
“In a moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is
nothing”, he said.
6. Charm and
charisma
Roosevelt was:
7. Peace from strength
He helped to end the war between Russia and Japan in 1905 (winning the Nobel Peace Prize),
and the coal strike in 1902 by acting as a mediator between the miners’
union and management.
He also sought peace abroad with soft-spoken diplomacy, backed up by moral resolve and military might.
So he greatly expanded the Navy, and his motto became “speak softly and carry a big stick”.
8. Luck
As vice president he became president at the young age of 42 after the assassination of president
William McKinley (pictured right).
9. Physical health
His childhood asthma taught him the importance of physical fitness and the “strenuous
life” of regular exercise and sport.
10. Learning and information
Roosevelt:
- was naturally curious and very intelligent (he went to Harvard
University).
- loved books (with Thomas
Jefferson, pictured right, the best read American president ever).
- had a constant hunger of the information needed to make good decisions.
For example, on his first day as president, he told the heads of Washington’s three press agencies to keep him
well informed of home and foreign events.
His father’s unselfish courage had a huge influence on him, and he never made a decision
without first thinking what he would have done.
11. Energy and passion
He was extremely energetic and enthusiastic, doing his job of president
so quickly that he could spend the afternoon off and spend time with his family (pictured right in 1903)!
12. Good people
He picked good people and then gave them the power and autonomy to carry out his decisions.
He believed that getting along with people was vital to great leadership.
Key quote
on objectives
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win the glorious triumphs, even though checked by failure than to
rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in that great twilight that knows
neither victory nor defeat
Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.
Key quotes on
success
Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike.
The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.
The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything.
Key quote on
management
Do not hit at all, if it can be avoided, but never hit softly.
Key quote on decision
making
There is only one quality worse than hardness of heart and that is softness of head.
Key quote on
leadership
Effective leadership is a combination of idealism and practical efficiency.
Key quote on family and
children
The only thing I want to leave my children is an honourable name.
Key quote on
education
To educate a man in mind but not in morals is to educate a menace to society
Key quote on motivation and
happiness
Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
Key quote on
ethics
We have duties to others and duties to ourselves; and we can shirk neither.
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