Q:The title of your book is Leadership: In Turbulent Times. Is it about today?
DKG: Yes, in a very real sense Leadership: In Turbulent Times is about today. Using history as my guide, I sought to shine a spotlight on the absence of leadership in our country today through the analysis and examples of leaders from the past whose actions and intentions established a standard by which to judge and emulate genuine leadership. The study and stories of Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson setforth a template of shared purpose, collaboration, compromise, and civility—the best of our collective identity in times of trouble. We ignore history at our peril, for without heartening examples of leadership from the past we fall prey to accepting our current climate of uncivil, frenetic polarization as the norm.The great protection for our democratic system, Lincoln counseled, was to “read of and recount” the stories of our country’s history, to rededicate ourselves to the ideals of our founding fathers. Through Leadership: In Turbulent Times, I hope I’ve provided a touchstone, a roadmap, for leaders and citizens alike.
Q: How do those times compare to today?
DKG: I am often asked: “Are these the worst of times?” We are living in turbulent times, certainly, but the worst of times—no.
When Lincoln took office, the House was not only divided, it was on fire. The country had split in two. A Civil War that would leave 600,000 soldiers dead was about to begin.
How are U.S. diplomats trained to represent the country abroad today? How do other states work to influence Americans?
Come join Will Stevens, Director of the Public Diplomacy Division, Foreign Service Institute (U.S. Department of State), for a discussion of “Adversarial Narratives” and their use by states, non-state actors, and domestic political parties. He’ll also speak about his work training U.S. diplomats to represent the United States, American influence around the world, and how public diplomacy intersects with disinformation, social media, and Hybrid/Gray Zone warfare.
Limited to 12, undergraduates given preference. RSVP here.
Want to know how the U.S.A. looks from Germany these days?
Curious about Social Democracy?
Concerned at the (re-)rise of the far right in Germany?
Well then plan to come to the FDR Suite (Adams B-17) on Monday, October 29, 7-8pm, to meet with Sigmar Hartmut Gabriel, Germany’s Minister for Foreign Affairs 2017-2018, Vice-Chancellor 2013-2018, and leader of the Social Democratic Party 2009-2017.
Fireside Chat with H.E. Sigmar Gabriel on Germany and the Future of EU-US Relations
Member of the German Bundestag and Vice Chancellor (2013-2018)
John F. Kennedy Memorial Policy Fellow, Center for European Studies, Harvard University
This event is full but you can sign up for the wait list here:
Mr. Gabriel brings a wealth of experience at the local, federal and international level. After serving as Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (2005-2009), he assumed several leading posts, including as Germany’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy (2013-2017), Minister for Foreign Affairs (2017-2018) and Vice-Chancellor of Germany (2013-2018).
“Advice columnist” is not a role that is usually listed under Eleanor Roosevelt’s long list of achievements, but for over 20 years she wrote a popular write-in column, first for Ladies Home Journal and then McCall’s magazine.
Roosevelt wasn’t especially witty or psychologically acute in the role; unlike many of today’s inspirational “life coaches,” Roosevelt didn’t invite her readers to accompany her on extended journeys of introspection.
Indeed, when a questioner wrote in 1944 asking what the president said to her when he proposed, Roosevelt firmly drew the curtains over that intimate subject by replying,
Every year, thousands of visitors tour the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site in Hyde Park, the home of the former United States first lady. Two decades prior to its conversion into a residence the building served as the factory for Val-Kill Industries, a furniture manufacturing business opened by Roosevelt and three partners.
Future U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt purchased property that would eventually become Val-Kill in 1911. The family initially used the site for picnics and a respite from the constant activity at their Springwood estate.
It was at one of the picnics that the concept of creating small industries to benefit local farmers during winter months and economic downturns was discussed.
