George Washington.
One famous person’s name evokes not just a city, but the entire foundation of a country and many of its most noble traditions. What better way to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary than with a visit to Washington’s celebrated home?
Mount Vernon is Washington’s historic Virginia estate. Located along the Potomac River near Alexandria, the site includes Washington’s mansion, gardens, working farm, tomb, museum, and reconstructed gristmill and distillery. Today, Mount Vernon is preserved as a major landmark and educational destination that helps visitors understand Washington’s life, business interests, and leadership qualities.
The CAI staff spent the day at Mount Vernon on July 22 as part of a staff retreat at CAI headquarters in Falls Church, Va. Staff fly-ins, held three times a year, provide opportunities for connections, relationship building, and in-person collaboration. Each summer fly-in includes a team-building activity.
The historical significance of Mount Vernon makes a visit there remarkable and humbling. Washington was the commander of the Continental Army and first president of the United States. Washington’s extraordinary life includes lessons in governance and leadership from which community association leaders can benefit.
Born in Virginia and raised as a subject of the British crown, Washington’s father died when he was 11. The loss forced him to become resilient and dependable at a young age. After spending time as a land surveyor, he secured a commission as a Major in the Virginia Militia when he was 20 years old. A year later, an ambitious Washington led a failed attack on French forces that sparked a conflict between Great Britain and France known as the Seven Years’ War.
Governance Lesson 1: Prepare. Are you ready and prepared for the leadership path? Sometimes, the battles we choose have unintended consequences. Have you evaluated and come to terms with all possible outcomes?
Significantly, the British royals’ failure to acknowledge and reward Washington’s defense of British territory and to provide commissions for Washington and his fellow officers in the British army during this period likely planted the seeds of rebellion that led to Washington’s full support for American independence 20 years later.
Governance Lesson 2: Great leaders recognize the support and accomplishments of others and are not afraid of the success of others. In fact, they encourage it.
General Washington took command of the Continental Army on July 3, 1775. While he led the army into many battles during the Revolutionary War, his army did not win every battle. Under his command, the Continental Army ultimately defeated the greatest military power in the world at the time.
Governance Lesson 3: Learn to recalibrate and use your strategic advantages to overcome a challenge. Understand the forces that may act against you that prefer the status quo, including both their strengths and weaknesses.
After the war, Washington returned to Mount Vernon and resumed life on his farm. To improve the prospects of the newly independent colonies, he invested in the use of rivers to expand trade development westward. However, the Articles of Incorporation created obstacles to uniting the colonies and impeded economic development. Washington gathered delegates at the Mount Vernon Conference in 1785 to improve trade, navigation, and equal access to the Potomac River.
The next year, delegates from five states met in Annapolis, Md., to discuss additional ways the colonies could work together. Delegates agreed to meet again in Philadelphia in 1787.
Washington was again called to preside over the Continental Congress. He was charged with creating a strong federal government that would preserve state rights and unite the former colonies.
Governance Lesson 4: Compromise. The grand bargains and compromises agreed to in the Continental Congress under Washington’s leadership created the American system of government complete with separation of powers, equal representation among the states in the Senate, and proportional representation in the House. What compromises are you prepared to make to secure the future?
It’s no surprise that Washington was elected to be the new nation’s first president. In serving, Washington defined the presidency and is responsible for many of its precedents including exercising and restraining power. Washington voluntarily gave up the presidency after two terms, keenly aware that serving longer would draw comparisons to the monarch he defeated in the Revolutionary War.
Governance Lesson 5: Institutions should outlast individual leaders. Know when it is time to hand over the reins to the next generation.
Mount Vernon is more than just a historic estate. It is a case study in leadership that provides lessons in overcoming challenges, governing diverse groups, creating lasting institutions, and how ethical decision-making stands the test of time. These lessons create good governance from the most powerful nations of the world right down to your community association.
