Michael Beschloss

Drawing on his years studying leadership at the Harvard Business School and as a presidential historian, Beschloss, customizing his presentation for each audience, picks the most brilliant successes and the most lethal mistakes made in business and politics—and shows what they can teach us. He offers the four key elements of a leader – willingness to make tough decisions, communication of said decisions, having a sense of history, and the ability to work with people who violently disagree with you – and shares stories, lessons learned, and insights on how we can apply the best from pivotal leadership moments to our own lives and organizations.

What makes a great U.S. president? Michael Beschloss believes the answer is “presidential courage” – the willingness to take a political risk that might end a president’s career and the wisdom to do that for reasons that later Americans will admire. Beschloss describes crucial times when courageous presidents took such risks and overcame obstacles to dramatically change the future of the United States. From George Washington to Ronald Reagan, the presidents he focuses on addressed some of the most paramount, abiding issues in American history – war and peace, human rights, and the proper balance between government and business. A natural storyteller, Beschloss details the outstanding traits of these presidents and then compares them to the current crop of presidential candidates, for in insightful glance into America’s political future. He also uses what he has discovered about presidential courage to provide leadership lessons for all of us.

As a master in his field, Beschloss brings us inspiring, humorous and tragic never-before-told stories of American presidents—from George Washington to George W. Bush—as they struggle with war, peace and domestic crisis. He puts President Obama in historical perspective and assesses his potential place in the history of the American presidency. He reveals the qualities that have made great presidents in history and shows how to find leaders who have them now—in politics, business and civic life.

From his talks with presidents, Supreme Court justices, diplomats and members of Congress and his quarter-century in the capital, Beschloss reveals the hidden side of important personalities and behind-the-scenes developments that may soon have a major impact on your life.