dispatches from the new world of work

Washington (G.) in Winter

Those of you who inhaled, as I did, David McCullough's 1776 will remember that 230 Februarys ago George Washington and his ragtag, disease-ridden army were holding the British at bay during a very nasty winter in Boston. Saturday I was traversing the Boston Public Garden as snow began to fall. I thought of a snowy February 1776 as I walked past GW's statue.

George Washington Statue

By the way, Washington looked about as good on a horse in reality as he does in statues like this. The uncommonly tall & perfectly postured General was one of the Colonies' best and most graceful-elegant horsemen. I mention this because Washington's purposefully self-managed demeanor was essential to the Army's success—the General's bearing per se went a long way toward convincing the British that we were a force to be reckoned with. (Hint: We weren't.) Thus Washington's "Brand You abilities" carried the day those 230 winters ago! (Or that's the way I see it.)

Tom Peters posted this on 02/27/06.

Comments

Thanks Tom for the Brand You reminder - since I live in Washington state [used to be in Washington, D.C.] - 50 miles from George, WA - it is wonderful to enjoy the impact of our 1st president.

And now in Iraq - Afghanistan - and the Mideast - people ask "... where are the exceptional statesmen [and women] in this dire time of need?" Radical Islam we get - where/when is the upside of accomplished or even adequate self-governance?

Posted by Sean at February 27, 2006 1:41 PM