George Washington’s Servant Leadership: How He Led During the Revolutionary War and as the First President

Riley Konrad

Background

George Washington was America’s first President and the leader of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. His leadership style was all about serving others, rather than being bossy or focused on gaining power. Washington’s approach to leadership is a great example of servant leadership, where the leader’s main goal is to help those they are leading.

The Challenges Washington Faced

1. Leading the Army in the Revolutionary War

During the war for independence from Britain, Washington had to lead a small, poorly equipped army against one of the strongest militaries in the world. He showed servant leadership by focusing on what his soldiers needed.

• Sacrificing for His Soldiers: Washington refused to take any pay for leading the army and often went through the same hardships as his soldiers, like the freezing winter at Valley Forge. This made his soldiers trust and respect him more.

• Letting Others Lead: Washington didn’t try to do everything himself. He trusted young leaders like Alexander Hamilton and Lafayette to take on big responsibilities. This helped build a strong team that could work together.

By serving his soldiers and putting their needs first, Washington kept the army motivated and led them to victory against the British.

2. Serving the Country as President

After the war, Washington became the first President of the United States. Instead of acting like a king or holding on to power, he focused on serving the country and making sure it succeeded in the long run.

• Stepping Down from Power: Washington could have stayed president for life, but he chose to step down after two terms. This set a tradition that the president’s job is to serve the people, not to hold power forever.

• Keeping the Country Together: Washington worked hard to keep the country united, even when different political groups started fighting. He stayed neutral and focused on what was best for the whole nation, not just one side.

• Building Lasting Institutions: Washington helped create important parts of the government, like a national bank and the court system. He wanted to make sure the country had strong systems that would last long after he was gone.

How Washington’s Leadership Helped

Washington’s servant leadership made a big difference:

• In the War: By focusing on his soldiers’ needs and empowering others to lead, Washington built a strong, loyal army that eventually won the war.

• As President: By stepping down from power and building a strong government, Washington set up the United States for long-term success.

Long-Term Impact

Washington’s servant leadership helped America win independence and build a stable government. His decision to step down from power after two terms became a tradition that future presidents followed. Even today, Washington’s example of putting the country’s needs above his own shows what real leadership should look like.

Conclusion

George Washington’s leadership during the Revolutionary War and as the first president shows that great leaders focus on serving others. By putting his soldiers and his country first, Washington helped create a strong, united nation. His example is still important for leaders today.

Discussion Questions

1. How did Washington’s focus on serving his soldiers help him win their trust during the Revolutionary War?

2. What can today’s leaders learn from Washington’s choice to step down from power after two terms?

References

"The Farewell Address." The American Presidency Project. Accessed September 11, 2024. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/farewell-address.

"George Washington: A Revolutionary Leader." George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Accessed September 11, 2024. https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/revolutionary-war/.

"George Washington's Presidency." History.com. Last modified March 5, 2021. Accessed September 11, 2024. https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/george-washington.

License

This case study is licensed CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.