Source: Doris Kearns Goodwin. Leadership -
Lessons From the Presidents For Turbulent Times (2018)
Lessons From the Presidents For Turbulent Times (2018)
At the age of 28, Franklin Roosevelt, unlike Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt, hadn’t yet impressed those around him with his leadership abilities, work ethic, intelligence, or sense of purpose. Yet FDR jumped at the chance at life in politics when he was offered the chance to run for a safe Democratic seat in the New York State Assembly by the state Democratic machine. FDR craved to be set free from his insulated world, sensing that politics offered him the best chance to achieve his ambitions; so it was in 1910 that FDR entered the world of politics.
FDR was offered the chance to run mostly due to the shift in voter demographics in the district, which had become increasingly Republican, and FDR’s last name resonated w/ Republicans for obvious reasons. Also, since FDR and his mother had quite a bit of money, he could pay his own campaign costs and contribute to the party. So, unlike Lincoln who entered politics on his own initiative, and TR who intentionally mingled with very important state party leaders, FDR was simply chosen due to his distant cousin’s (TR) last name.
FDR, although an elite in Hyde Park, won over district voters across class lines with his authentic affability and sincerity, as well as his charm. FDR learned to listen and ask questions, always having loved to talk, which further enhanced his electability. So then, how was all that possible for FDR . . . it turns out that temperament is the great separator in terms of being the keystone for a successful politician, especially for the Presidency.
FDR was offered the chance to run mostly due to the shift in voter demographics in the district, which had become increasingly Republican, and FDR’s last name resonated w/ Republicans for obvious reasons. Also, since FDR and his mother had quite a bit of money, he could pay his own campaign costs and contribute to the party. So, unlike Lincoln who entered politics on his own initiative, and TR who intentionally mingled with very important state party leaders, FDR was simply chosen due to his distant cousin’s (TR) last name.
FDR, although an elite in Hyde Park, won over district voters across class lines with his authentic affability and sincerity, as well as his charm. FDR learned to listen and ask questions, always having loved to talk, which further enhanced his electability. So then, how was all that possible for FDR . . . it turns out that temperament is the great separator in terms of being the keystone for a successful politician, especially for the Presidency.
FDR had the extreme good fortune to be in a great overall setting during his childhood and early-adult years, which developed and magnified his positive temperament. FDR was the main focus of his parents, and they made sure there was very little turmoil in their lives. FDR was in essence sheltered from ugliness, jealousy, and conflicting interests. FDR’s parents kept him busy and productive, exposing him to indoor and outdoor activities. As early as the age of 5, FDR complained about not having enough freedom, and for one day a week he could have his “own day”. Therefore, FDR developed an optimistic temperament, believing that everything would work out, which was combined with another character trait he developed during those same years, which was self-confidence.
FDR was also able to alter his behavior and attitudes to suit new conditions, which would prove to be beyond-vital. Interestingly, in order to do his part to maintain the level of “happiness” in the family, FDR learned to be secretive, duplicitous, and manipulative, which as a child was for the purpose of maintaining happiness, but as a politician would become troubling, and not always effective or best. FDR focused on more indoor activities after his father died of a heart attack in 1890, spending time on an impressive series of collections, including stamps, which would become his central hobby, even as President. Collecting is a way to order a disordered world, and that synthetic world of collection/meditation would serve FDR well when he needed to think about the best course of action to take as President.
FDR was also able to alter his behavior and attitudes to suit new conditions, which would prove to be beyond-vital. Interestingly, in order to do his part to maintain the level of “happiness” in the family, FDR learned to be secretive, duplicitous, and manipulative, which as a child was for the purpose of maintaining happiness, but as a politician would become troubling, and not always effective or best. FDR focused on more indoor activities after his father died of a heart attack in 1890, spending time on an impressive series of collections, including stamps, which would become his central hobby, even as President. Collecting is a way to order a disordered world, and that synthetic world of collection/meditation would serve FDR well when he needed to think about the best course of action to take as President.
While FDR didn’t possess TR’s intellectual achievements or prowess, FDR had problem-solving skills that he had developed by reading people over the years. Coupled with his type of intelligence was his gift of an optimistic and jaunty verbal speaking style, which would separate him from the vast majority of politicians during his career. FDR learned much more by listening rather than by reading, and in that way he absorbed and analyzed vast amounts of information. Long before the term multitasking was coined, FDR lived it, even as a child. FDR preferred to get his information verbally, and an added benefit was that he could ask questions to learn even more.
Collecting stamps proved to provide a myriad of doorways for FDR to enter in order to learn more about many things, especially learning across many categories. His hobby of stamp collecting led to a mastery of details that helped FDR solve problems, a skill that lasted throughout his Presidency. FDR learned a vast amount in the realm of geography, which would become invaluable as a wartime President.
When FDR was 14 years old, his mother sent him to Groton, two years too late, since the normal age of entry was the age of twelve. FDR’s problem was that his personality characteristics that endeared him to adults proved to be beyond off-putting to peers. FDR was viewed as foppish and insincere, and it didn’t help that he wasn’t very athletic. FDR desperately wanted to be popular, but he had no idea how to do so with his peers. FDR’s perspective that things would eventually work out for the best kept him going in the face of that adversity. At Groton, FDR learned to project confident good cheer and to mask his frustrations, which would become ingrained in his public persona.
Collecting stamps proved to provide a myriad of doorways for FDR to enter in order to learn more about many things, especially learning across many categories. His hobby of stamp collecting led to a mastery of details that helped FDR solve problems, a skill that lasted throughout his Presidency. FDR learned a vast amount in the realm of geography, which would become invaluable as a wartime President.
When FDR was 14 years old, his mother sent him to Groton, two years too late, since the normal age of entry was the age of twelve. FDR’s problem was that his personality characteristics that endeared him to adults proved to be beyond off-putting to peers. FDR was viewed as foppish and insincere, and it didn’t help that he wasn’t very athletic. FDR desperately wanted to be popular, but he had no idea how to do so with his peers. FDR’s perspective that things would eventually work out for the best kept him going in the face of that adversity. At Groton, FDR learned to project confident good cheer and to mask his frustrations, which would become ingrained in his public persona.
FDR finally found his niche with the debate team, where he thrived, not only speaking without notes, but also taking and understanding other points-of-view. If the debate team “saved” FDR at Groton, then the Harvard Crimson did the same for FDR, and he was eventually asked to be part of the Crimson staff. It was at about that time that President McKinley was assassinated and FDR’s fifth cousin, Theodore Roosevelt, became President. By FDR’s senior year at Harvard, he had become editor-in-chief for the Crimson, and FDR took graduate classes in order to extend his time in that position. FDR managed to survive at Groton, but he absolutely thrived at Harvard. During his junior year at Harvard, FDR started to spend time with Eleanor Roosevelt, who was a distant cousin from the “other” Oyster Bay (the same as TR) branch of the Roosevelt family in New York. FDR kept his close relationship with Eleanor secret, even from his mother. FDR believed that he would “amount to something” some day with Eleanor at his side.
When FDR became part of a law firm after Harvard, he had already charted his political future in his mind. FDR envisioned that his path would mirror TR’s, in that he would serve in the NY Assembly, then move on to Assistant Secretary of the Navy, then to Governor of NY, and then to the Presidency. And then, just five weeks before the election in 1910, the “retired” Assemblyman that FDR had replaced wanted back in the game, and FDR was out. When FDR told the Democratic leadership in NY that he would run as an independent, the Dems suggested that FDR run for the far more prestigious state senate seat as a Democrat. That district was large and rural, and it had sent a Republican to Albany for many years.
When FDR became part of a law firm after Harvard, he had already charted his political future in his mind. FDR envisioned that his path would mirror TR’s, in that he would serve in the NY Assembly, then move on to Assistant Secretary of the Navy, then to Governor of NY, and then to the Presidency. And then, just five weeks before the election in 1910, the “retired” Assemblyman that FDR had replaced wanted back in the game, and FDR was out. When FDR told the Democratic leadership in NY that he would run as an independent, the Dems suggested that FDR run for the far more prestigious state senate seat as a Democrat. That district was large and rural, and it had sent a Republican to Albany for many years.
FDR knew that he had to make personal contact with as many voters in the district as possible, and he did so by being the first to travel across the district by car instead of horse and buggy. Breaking precedent appealed to FDR, and he convinced two other Democratic candidates to share the driver/car with him. FDR made sure that the driver yielded to any horse and/or buggy they came across, which increased the level of respect district voters had for FDR. Every aspect of campaigning appealed to FDR, and he was directly involved in every detail of his campaign, and he absolutely reveled in making contact with people. FDR flashed his soon-to-be-famous smile, turned on his natural charm, and treated people like they were a friend. FDR promised to be their representative and not a shill for the party bosses. FDR won by the largest margin of any Democratic candidate in the state.
Soon enough, FDR clashed with the Tammany Hall Democratic Machine. As a result, FDR began to moderate his approach when his political star rose, but at the same time his influence decreased. FDR, like TR, learned that he needed to compromise and deal with different factions in order to be a successful politician. FDR caught the eye of President Woodrow Wilson, and just two weeks into his term, Wilson offered FDR the post of Ass’t Secretary of the Navy. FDR worked for seven years under Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels. FDR initially chafed under the lead of the SecNav, but FDR eventually realized the value in recognizing and treating Daniels as his superior. FDR learned much about politics from Daniels, who became a political mentor for FDR. As it turned out, both men forged a wonderful working relationship and became friends.
Soon enough, FDR clashed with the Tammany Hall Democratic Machine. As a result, FDR began to moderate his approach when his political star rose, but at the same time his influence decreased. FDR, like TR, learned that he needed to compromise and deal with different factions in order to be a successful politician. FDR caught the eye of President Woodrow Wilson, and just two weeks into his term, Wilson offered FDR the post of Ass’t Secretary of the Navy. FDR worked for seven years under Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels. FDR initially chafed under the lead of the SecNav, but FDR eventually realized the value in recognizing and treating Daniels as his superior. FDR learned much about politics from Daniels, who became a political mentor for FDR. As it turned out, both men forged a wonderful working relationship and became friends.
While Groton and Harvard didn’t truly appreciate FDR’s smarts, the Navy Department sure did. FDR saw the Navy as a living organism instead of a bureaucracy. For example, instead of closing down obsolete Navy yards, FDR retrofitted them to manufacture items necessary for the modernization of the Navy. The Brooklyn Shipyard specialized in radios, and cruisers were built in Philadelphia, and submarines/destroyers were built in Norfolk. FDR’s decisions proved to be necessary for the US down the road when it entered the Great War.
FDR surrounded himself with those that not only knew the Navy bureaucracy, but also introduced new ideas and methods. FDR brought aboard Louis Howe, who had already become FDR’s indispensable go-to man to get things done, and who also was able to speak very plainly and bluntly to FDR, telling him the “real deal”. It was during his time as Ass’t SecNav that FDR discovered the value in going down the path of “trial and error”, finding out what would work and when something did not work, which at that point he would admit the mistake and move on. An additional benefit of being Ass’t SecNav was that FDR learned how to deal with Labor, and during his tenure there wasn’t a single labor strike within the Navy shipyards.
FDR surrounded himself with those that not only knew the Navy bureaucracy, but also introduced new ideas and methods. FDR brought aboard Louis Howe, who had already become FDR’s indispensable go-to man to get things done, and who also was able to speak very plainly and bluntly to FDR, telling him the “real deal”. It was during his time as Ass’t SecNav that FDR discovered the value in going down the path of “trial and error”, finding out what would work and when something did not work, which at that point he would admit the mistake and move on. An additional benefit of being Ass’t SecNav was that FDR learned how to deal with Labor, and during his tenure there wasn’t a single labor strike within the Navy shipyards.
Chance was the key factor in FDR becoming the Democratic candidate for Vice-President in 1920. When the Democratic National Convention started in San Francisco, FDR wasn’t on the list of 39 possible VP possibilities. The Democrats were a party on-the-outs in 1920, and none of the heavy-hitters in the party wanted to run, which led to James Cox receiving the nomination as President. Mostly due to his last name, FDR was nominated for VP by acclamation. While Cox didn’t have a chance to win the election, FDR had everything to gain and nothing to lose by campaigning for the Democratic ticket. FDR impressed the Democratic leadership with his energy and talents on the hustings, and it was during that campaign that FDR became a confident and impressive speaker. That being said, FDR’s inexperience, hubris, and fatigue led to mistakes on the campaign, but FDR became a national political figure nonetheless. During the campaign in 1920, FDR created a Circle of Trust, and most of those initial members would be with him down the road when he was elected President, most importantly Harry Hopkins.