07.14.07
To be a good teacher, you must be a willingly learner
In the documentary, “The Revolution”, broadcast on the History Channel, it was stated that it is the opinion of many that George Washington’s most outstanding leadership attribute was his ability to listen and learn from others. George Washington had opinions, but he often changed them after hearing the ideas and opinions of others.
Near the beginning of the war, George Washington’s army lost the battle of New York. This loss tormented Washington, and he was compassionate about regaining control of the city because he felt the city was taken by England because of his inexperience and poor judgment. When the French army finally arrived in America, Washington felt with the additional strength to the patriot army, they were now strong enough to recapture New York. The French commander, Comte de Rochambeau, felt they should attack at Yorktown rather than New York. Although George Washington was passionate about recapturing New York, he listened and thought about Rochambeau’s logic, and then agreed that it would be better to attack Yorktown. Even though the battle of Yorktown was not the end of the war, it was the battle that won the war.
A religious leader, Boyd K. Packer recently stated, “To be a good teacher, you must be a willing learner.” (lds.org: Worldwide Training Meeting) I think if George Washington were alive today, his words would be a little different, but the meaning would be the same, ”To be a good leader, you must willingly listen and learn from others”.