A LESSON YOU CAN ONLY LEARN BY LOOKING BACK ON HISTORY.

annmarie827
Aug 14
3 min read

Leadership is not a position; it’s a posture. It’s about waking up every day ready to serve, to grow, and to build up the people around you. As Franklin said, “Tell

me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” That’s not just a teaching method. That’s a leadership model and mandate.

Every summer, as we gather to celebrate the birth of our nation, we honor the visionaries who penned the Declaration of Independence.

Yet beyond the fireworks and festivities, the Founding Fathers offer us more than history; they offer a blueprint for leadership that continues to ignite growth-minded entrepreneurs, executives, and corporate teams. We believe these timeless principles, forged in sacrifice and anchored in vision, are as powerful today as they were in 1776.

Picture Benjamin Franklin, the relentless innovator, the man of a thousand curiosities. He didn’t fear mistakes; he welcomed them as teachers. From lightning rods to libraries, Franklin reminds us that growth requires grit. His life embodied what John Maxwell and our team call the Cycle of Success: Test → Fail →Learn → Improve → Re-enter. He didn’t stop at the first setback, and neither should we.

Then there’s Thomas Jefferson, the dreamer with dirt under his nails. He wrote words that birthed a nation and still found time to weigh mules for agricultural efficiency. That’s the kind of grounded vision we need: bold enough to inspire, practical enough to implement.

And George Washington, perhaps the greatest example of servant leadership. He stepped away from power when the world would have handed him a crown.

Why? Because he knew that legacy isn’t about control; it’s about multiplying leadership in others.

These men were imperfect. But they were clear-eyed and courageous. They

embraced opposition, wrestled with failure, and stayed faithful to their

mission. That’s leadership worth modeling.

Here’s what today’s leaders must internalize:

Stay humble and hungry.
Align your dreams with disciplined action.
Lead with unwavering character.
And practice our S.C.A.L.E. Method™:
Share a Common Vision
Challenge the Process
Always Speak to the Heart
Lead by Example
Empower Decision Making and Action

Studies show that 83% of companies see leadership development as a crucial differentiator. And for every $1 spent on developing leaders, there is a $4.53 return (453%).

Why? Because healthy leadership multiplies momentum, retention, and results.

And now, with the power of AI tools, we can enhance our decision-making, accelerate learning, and improve clarity in how we apply the Cycle of Success.

Imagine combining historical conviction with modern insight. AI doesn't replace wisdom. It amplifies it. Leaders who embrace technology with discernment become more equipped, more aware, and more adaptable. And adaptability is one of today’s greatest advantages.

So let us encourage you as your friend and coach on this journey:

Define and refine your values so they live in your heart, not just on a wall or website.
Build a 90-day Game Plan (July 1 – September 30) to live and lead with intentionality.
Leverage the Cycle of Success and the S.C.A.L.E. Method™ as daily disciplines.
Begin integrating AI to enhance how your team learns, leads, and grows.

Friend, your future isn’t behind you. It’s ahead of you. And the only thing standing between where you are and where you’re called to go is the courage to start.

We believe in you. We believe in what your team can become.

And we would be honored to walk alongside you and your team to make it happen. Let’s write the next chapter together.

If anything in this message stirred something in you, an idea, a vision, or even a question, don’t brush it aside. Let’s talk. No pressure, no pitch. Just a real conversation about where you are, where you want to be, and how Lions Pride might come alongside you and your team to support your growth. Looking forward to having a conversation. Click here to find time on my calendar.