“Boys, I realize that some of us are not going to finish this journey. Cherrie, I want you and Kermit to go on. You can get out. I will stop here.”
These were the words of Theodore Roosevelt as he lay dying on the River of Doubt during his 1914 exploration into these previously unchartered waters. His son would, for the very first time, openly disobey his fathers orders. He would not leave him behind.
Want to read more about this journey check out Candice Millard’s book, The River of Doubt.
Want to become a better leader? Start reading more history. And, you will notice more nuance to history’s greatest leaders and you’ll notice, even more clearly, the melody line that they all seemingly share.
The will to rise above one’s adversities.
Roosevelt had learned to face adversity throughout his life. He didn’t acquire this trait once he became a President. He started to build this when he was young. In fact, Teddie, at age 11, was frail and sickly and could barely catch his breath due to his extreme asthma. Here’s some great coaching from father to son. And, here’s an example of how sons and leaders alike respond. Another great example of CCD at it’s best.
“Theodore, you have the mind but you have not the body, he said, and without the help of the body the mind cannot go as far as it should. Y-O-U must make your body. It is hard drudgery to make one’s body, but I know you will do it. Teddie, then only about 11 years old, flashed his famous teeth, and, accepted the challenge, cried, ‘I’ll make my body.”
AND, so he did.
Actually, he…
Done so.
BUILT TO LEAD 