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Theodore Roosevelt on Leadership: Executive Lessons from the Bully Pulpit
Harness the Power of TR's Charisma
Theodore Roosevelt was a leader of uncommon strength who, through the sheer force of his extraordinary will, turned America into a modern world power. Thrown headfirst into the presidency by the assassination of his predecessor, he led with courage, character, and vision in the face of overwhelming challenges, whether busting corporate trusts or building the Panama Canal. Roosevelt has been a hero to millions of Americans for over a century and is a splendid model to help you master today's turbulent marketplace and be a hero and a leader in your own organization.
Theodore Roosevelt was a leader of uncommon strength who, through the sheer force of his extraordinary will, turned America into a modern world power. Thrown headfirst into the presidency by the assassination of his predecessor, he led with courage, character, and vision in the face of overwhelming challenges, whether busting corporate trusts or building the Panama Canal. Roosevelt has been a hero to millions of Americans for over a century and is a splendid model to help you master today's turbulent marketplace and be a hero and a leader in your own organization.
288 pages, Paperback
Published January 28, 2003
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207 people want to read
About the author
James Strock
4 books26 followersJames Strock a writer, speaker, entrepreneur, lawyer and reformer in business, government and politics. He is based in Rancho Santa Fe, California. He can be reached at servetolead.com.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 27, 2024
A fun volume I picked up in a library while pondering politics after the election. I liked the conciseness of it and hence give stars due to the focus of the content and inclusion of many quotes from TR. However, the "lessons" are mainly cited from TR himself and close allies, so it's not right to say these are universally true - but they are thought-provoking nonetheless. One thing I took away is that TR constantly wrote things (books, articles, letters) and that action is part of what made him stand out in addition to his pragmatism.
June 12, 2010
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst; if he fails; at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
-- Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt was a charismatic leader with the strength and the will to turn the United States into a world power. Regardless of the challenges, he led with strength, courage, and conviction. He resigned as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Secretary of Defense), and enlisted in the Army to fight in the Spanish-American War (1898); distinguishing himself as a hero in charge of the “Rough Riders”. In November of 1900, he became Vice President. After the assassination of President McKinley in 1901, Roosevelt became President. He was instrumental in breaking up monopolies, constructing the Panama Canal (where the French failed) as an efficient trade route, protecting federal lands/national parks for the environment , creating/executing various Acts to improve working conditions, expanded the United States’ sphere of influence across the entire Western Hemisphere, mediated the end of the Russo-Japanese War (awarded Nobel Peace Prize), mediated dispute between Germany and France over Moroccan claims, established national monuments, regulated railroad and transportation rates, set the Guinness record for most hands shook, and was responsible for immortalizing the term “Teddy Bear” since he would not kill a bear tied up against a tree in cold blood.
Roosevelt read books avidly, wrote (published 14 books in his lifetime), boxed, and was an outdoorsman. In 1912 while running for President a third time, he was shot in the chest but delivered a 90 minute speech regardless, before receiving medical attention. As President, he always left time in his day to meet with the common man, friends, as well as statesmen. One hour he was negotiating an executive act, the next he was sparring an acquaintance from “the wild West” (he was blinded in one eye as result of one of these sparring matches). He accomplished so much because he knew what it took to get things done. For Teddy Roosevelt, leadership was a way of life. For me, Teddy Roosevelt was a man of action who inspires and motivates.
The following are the key points I found most profound from the book:
1. Leaders should visibly love their people more than their positions through actions and not words.
2. A leader should aim to build a life based on service, not career advancement.
3. Rather than seek success, a leader should seek to deserve success.
4. Effective leaders make themselves and their companies perpetual-motion learning machines.
5. Mistakes are learning opportunities.
6. Be seen not heard.
7. Becoming a skillful, active listener is essential to becoming a great leader.
8. “Decisive action, backed by intelligent forethought and timed to seize the initiative, is a hallmark of effective leadership” (Stork).
9. Look for the best in each person and cultivate those traits.
10. Set standards for selection of personnel; hire people more talented than yourself.
11. A leader should develop more leaders and not mere
followers.
12. Craft a compelling vision.
13. Exhibit enthusiastic optimism for your vision.
14. In terms of personal attacks, in response, be as specific as
possible.
15. Always tell the truth.
This is one of my top three books, read it!
-- Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt was a charismatic leader with the strength and the will to turn the United States into a world power. Regardless of the challenges, he led with strength, courage, and conviction. He resigned as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Secretary of Defense), and enlisted in the Army to fight in the Spanish-American War (1898); distinguishing himself as a hero in charge of the “Rough Riders”. In November of 1900, he became Vice President. After the assassination of President McKinley in 1901, Roosevelt became President. He was instrumental in breaking up monopolies, constructing the Panama Canal (where the French failed) as an efficient trade route, protecting federal lands/national parks for the environment , creating/executing various Acts to improve working conditions, expanded the United States’ sphere of influence across the entire Western Hemisphere, mediated the end of the Russo-Japanese War (awarded Nobel Peace Prize), mediated dispute between Germany and France over Moroccan claims, established national monuments, regulated railroad and transportation rates, set the Guinness record for most hands shook, and was responsible for immortalizing the term “Teddy Bear” since he would not kill a bear tied up against a tree in cold blood.
Roosevelt read books avidly, wrote (published 14 books in his lifetime), boxed, and was an outdoorsman. In 1912 while running for President a third time, he was shot in the chest but delivered a 90 minute speech regardless, before receiving medical attention. As President, he always left time in his day to meet with the common man, friends, as well as statesmen. One hour he was negotiating an executive act, the next he was sparring an acquaintance from “the wild West” (he was blinded in one eye as result of one of these sparring matches). He accomplished so much because he knew what it took to get things done. For Teddy Roosevelt, leadership was a way of life. For me, Teddy Roosevelt was a man of action who inspires and motivates.
The following are the key points I found most profound from the book:
1. Leaders should visibly love their people more than their positions through actions and not words.
2. A leader should aim to build a life based on service, not career advancement.
3. Rather than seek success, a leader should seek to deserve success.
4. Effective leaders make themselves and their companies perpetual-motion learning machines.
5. Mistakes are learning opportunities.
6. Be seen not heard.
7. Becoming a skillful, active listener is essential to becoming a great leader.
8. “Decisive action, backed by intelligent forethought and timed to seize the initiative, is a hallmark of effective leadership” (Stork).
9. Look for the best in each person and cultivate those traits.
10. Set standards for selection of personnel; hire people more talented than yourself.
11. A leader should develop more leaders and not mere
followers.
12. Craft a compelling vision.
13. Exhibit enthusiastic optimism for your vision.
14. In terms of personal attacks, in response, be as specific as
possible.
15. Always tell the truth.
This is one of my top three books, read it!
July 5, 2007
Not everyone can be a leader like Theodore Roosevelt. but everyone can learn from his principled form of leadership, his do-what-he-says-he-will-do style, his philosophy of working and living. Thirteen chapters break down Roosevelt's leadership style, each with several of Roosevelt's actual quoted guidelines to being a successful leader, which are then further laid out with explanations and actual stories which showed Roosevelt's exemplifying these guidelines in distinct action. Roosevelt was a man of action and he encouraged others to not only think, but to do. One of the reviews on the jacket sums it up best: "The great thing about U.S. presidents is that as chief executives of the most complex organization on earth, their wisdom is invaluable to business leaders. This book renders its subject as an aggressive, risk-taking master of PowerPoint-friendly advice." - Forbes.com. In sum, as Roosevelt coined the term, for me the book was "(G)ood to the last drop."
August 6, 2015
Having just completed the Edmund Morris biography trilogy on TR, this book serves as an excellent summary of who TR was and what TR did to lead through a period of remarkable change in this nation. I plan on gifting a copy to my 20-year old son, with hope that he see if but a glimmer of TR in me, and perhaps strive to build a little more of TR in himself.
March 6, 2009
The content is pretty uninspiring (some ancedotes) and the structure is loose. But at the end of each chapter, there are a list of leadership tips that I found helpful and passed along to my colleagues at work.
June 26, 2014
An excellent blend of historical context and 21st Century application of the philosophy of TR. Easy to read and full of common sense takeaways on self-mastery and leadership. Worth reading even if you have little interest in TR
September 7, 2009
The remainder of the book was not as strong as the first couple chapters but overall still a great book to read a few pages at a time. What a delicious delight it was!
July 7, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It organized Roosevelt's personality into easily digested platitudes that one can easily recall. It also provided insight to Roosevelt as the every day man, rather than the indomitable public persona he crafted. Sometimes an action driven life is really just a method of dealing with depression, albeit an effective one, and that most likely was the case with Roosevelt.
There was a random quote from Roger Ailes in the book that felt very out of place. Quoting Roger Ailes in any historical context should probably be avoided.
There was a random quote from Roger Ailes in the book that felt very out of place. Quoting Roger Ailes in any historical context should probably be avoided.
January 5, 2025
Great blending of historical context, wisdom in leadership, practical guidance, all interleaved with humorous accounts that made me laugh out loud. I never knew that much about TR other than the usual tropes. This book was a nice introduction of TR at some depth and sparked a deeper interest in him. Highly recommend this book to anyone in a leadership role - and at some level - aren’t we all?
July 12, 2025
My work is making me read 5 books on leadership/personal development this year. So. I complied. :)
I actually liked this one a lot. It highlighted what made TR an effective leader while still being honest about his downfalls. Very illuminating, especially since it pulled from a wide variety of different sources.
I actually liked this one a lot. It highlighted what made TR an effective leader while still being honest about his downfalls. Very illuminating, especially since it pulled from a wide variety of different sources.
March 8, 2021
A good summary of Theodore's action, quotes, and ideologies.
March 29, 2024
95/100
5 stars - 90/100
4 stars - 80/100
3 stars - 70/100
2 stars - 60/100
1 star - 50/100
5 stars - 90/100
4 stars - 80/100
3 stars - 70/100
2 stars - 60/100
1 star - 50/100
December 18, 2025
A little tedious, and the lessons are hardly eye opening. But it did intrigue me to learn more about Teddy Rose. I may just endeavor to do that.
March 10, 2017
I do not agree with every aspect of Roosevelt's political philosophy, but I do agree -- wholeheartedly -- with his personal philosophy about the vigor or lust for life. He was a big man with big dreams, and an even bigger passion for life. I have much on the life of Theodore Roosevelt and James Stock's book on Roosevelt's leadership qualities is one of the best, most practical accounts of what made TR tick. For those in leadership, or aspiring to leadership, Stock's look at Roosevelt is filled with practical insights that are readily applicable to any leadership situation. This alone is worth the price and the time of the book. But for me, another opportunity to peek into the life of one of my heroes will illicit a rereading of this fine book.
February 25, 2011
This is a good book on one of our nation's greatest leaders. Don't be confused by the topical vice chronological layout of this biography. TR's life story is proof positive that anyone can choose to become a leader, and accomplish it, IF they will focus myopically on their goal.
February 16, 2013
Excellent book on Teddy Roosevelt's leadership qualities that one could replicate in their own professional life. It was an easy read that explored this historical figure's skills and qualities that made him a success.
June 20, 2012
A must read for anyone who loves Teddy Roosevelt and what a real leader looks like
April 13, 2015
Excellent book, very well researched.
May 13, 2015
Mostly just a recount on Theodore Roosevelt's life with a few life lessons thrown in. Sadly it just quotes Roosevelt rather than offering a unique perspective.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews