America has had fewer than 50 presidents in 248 years. Of that number, history has favored some over others, and not just the quartet gracing Mount Rushmore. Modern-day presidents, like Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, are still revered today decades after leaving the presidency.
Haldeman’s premise is that presidents usually have distinctive leadership qualities that set them apart from other elected officials. Historically, some presidents exercised exceptional judgment and others exuded courage and confidence when those qualities were what the country needed most. Taken together as a whole, those different leadership qualities exhibited at crucial times in history made America stronger and better, echoing Aristotle’s idiom: “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
“Meeting the Moment” profiles the leadership qualities of six former presidents and shows how specific presidential decisions at momentous times helped shape America today.
Unique Leadership Qualities
Haldeman’s literary microscope focuses on six men. He assigns one specific leadership quality to each president: George Washington—judgment; Thomas Jefferson—ingenuity; Abraham Lincoln—dedication; Theodore Roosevelt—courage; FDR—confidence; and Ronald Reagan—optimism.The author offers a biographical narrative in each chapter, examining how each president’s particular leadership skill was nurtured and honed through lifetime experiences. The biographies shared by Haldeman provide readers more than character sketches. They examine life events that significantly influenced that future president and became an integral part of his character.
It’s common knowledge that Abraham Lincoln grew up poor and was self-taught. Haldeman’s readers may be surprised to learn that Lincoln enjoyed challenging questions and diverse opinions, exploring innovative solutions, and shaping public opinion.
“He was adept at shaping public opinion and would have likely been considered a social media influencer in modern terms, noting ‘With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed,’” the author writes concerning Lincoln’s dedication as president.
Haldeman believes that dedication was Lincoln’s defining quality as America’s 16th president. It was his dedication to America’s founding principles and honoring his boyhood heroes Washington and Jefferson. Lincoln was dedicated to keeping the Union intact during the tragic Civil War, and held fast to his fervent belief in the “better angels of our nature.” Lincoln borrowed this phrase from his first inaugural address that he wanted the country to ponder when delivering his famous Gettysburg Address.
Meeting Their Moment
In each presidential profile, the author skillfully details the specific crisis or circumstance confronting the beleaguered president; he notes where and how their specific leadership trait manifested itself at an important juncture of history. In the case of Washington, it was the wisdom found in his legendary Farewell Address, which warned of the potential mischief of political partisanship and the danger of foreign entanglements. No less important was the example he set as the country’s inaugural president to voluntarily step down after two terms in office.
“It was this same judgment that amplified [Washington’s] innate propensity to make the right call when it mattered most—to make the inconceivable inevitable,” the author states. “It was also the same judgment that led him to demonstrate that no one individual has the right to the presidency—that it belongs to the people.”
In the chapter on FDR, readers learn how the nation’s 32nd president courageously sought to manage the banking crisis he inherited by establishing a four-day bank holiday to stop the run on banks and by inviting prominent bankers to work with his administration on drafting new legislation. “It was clear that across these endeavors, FDR was forging confidence through consensus and a spirit of collaboration,” the author notes.
Likewise, he sought to instill confidence in the electorate by taking advantage of the medium of radio with his legendary fireside chats. The author shares how FDR tried to “visualize the individuals he was seeking to help” by talking to them in nontechnical terms about what his administration was doing, why they were doing it, and what to expect as next steps.
The Blueprint
In addition to the fascinating biographical data and challenges his six presidential subjects confronted, each chapter provides an informative backstory involving the circumstances of that time and place, a roadmap that the presidents considered before addressing the historic issues that shaped their administrations, and the impact and legacy that these presidencies have had on America today. Admittedly, the author’s goal is to show the human being behind the statue and monument; they displayed their outstanding gifts and virtues while president as well as their flaws and shortcomings.
The author’s unique approach in blending biography, history, politics, and leadership development is at least partially attributed to his own personal story. Haldeman has served the White House Domestic Policy Council, two U.S. secretaries of state, and as a state governor. He presently works at the University of Pittsburgh as chief strategy office and vice chancellor.
Engaging and highly readable, “Meeting the Moment” offers crossover appeal to scholars and general-interest readers. Well sourced and objectively presented, it offers a stimulating analysis of presidential leadership and how good character traits applied at crucial times improved America and helped make good presidents great presidents.
