Overview
The turning-point battle of the American Civil War was fought in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 1863. More than 165,000 men of the Union Army of the Potomac and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia were engaged in fighting around this central Pennsylvania town. The battle took place during the first three days of July and resulted in an estimated 51,000 casualties. In human terms, this battle was the most costly single engagement of the four-year war. President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, offered on November 19, 1863 during the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, is remembered as one of the most notable orations ever offered in the English language.
A study of the Gettysburg campaign produces notable examples of strategic leadership models and significant actions, both negative and positive, that were driven by tactical leadership decisions. There are stunning examples of both leadership successes and failures. They provide vivid and consequential illustrations of effective and ineffective leadership initiatives at both the personal and organizational levels.
Logistics
Summary of Topics
Seminars and keynote presentations in the Leadership Under Fire series, each offer their own distinctive leadership lessons and insights. Those lessons and insights are based on specific historical events, occurrences, and trends. They are discussed and unified as they relate to three critical attributes common among great leaders—Accessibility, Reliability, and Commitment. When brought together, those attributes are the basis of an ARC leadership model.
Gettysburg was a crucible in which 19th-century political, military, and interpersonal leadership were tested in the intense heat of battle. Today, it remains an incomparable venue for studying leadership lessons that are as vivid and powerful as they are timelessly applicable. These lessons provide relevant and compelling leadership insights worthy of emulation at both the personal and organizational levels. Examples of these captivating and historically-based lessons include:
Participate Feedback
“Anyone who is part of a leadership team owes it to that team to experience the work of Dr. Michael McGough. His seminars are wonderfully prepared, considerate of the participants with whom he’s working, and grounded in his experience as an educator. His storytelling, his keen understanding of the work leaders do, and his knowledge of history captivates participants. He astutely draws participants into his seminars, creating an interactive experience focused on practical application of the lessons shared.”
Dr. Eric Eshbach, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Principals Association
“Dr. McGough possesses a unique insight and understanding of leadership. He takes a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to the study of historical events, which he purposefully relates to contemporary leadership demands and opportunities. When engaged with my teams, he worked with diverse, multigenerational groups. He was consistently able to enhance our leadership skills, while at the same time building increased cohesion among our team members.”
Charles “Chip” Duncan
Fire Chief
Carlsbad, California
“Dr. McGough’s seminars have been an annual highpoint for the visiting Fellows in our International Fellowship program. His knowledge, expertise, and presentation style provide real world examples as Fellows seek to employ his strategies and techniques directly into their personal and professional journeys.”
Dr. Leila Bradaschia
Director of International Programs
Pennsylvania State University
State College, Pennsylvania
Those who have held the highest office in the land have led the nation through both good times and bad, in war and peace, and through endless periods of growth and development. The basic outline for the presidency, found in Article II of the United States Constitution, created an executive branch that has endured through 45 unique and separate administrations.
Few leadership roles offer the enormous challenges and opportunities faced daily by the President of the United States.
This keynote and seminar examines the personal, professional, and political dispositions of several of the 44 individuals who have held the highest office in the land. Historically focused attention is given to the broad leadership styles our presidents have brought to the office, as well as how those varied styles have affected their specific decision-making strategies. Notable presidential decisions and actions are used to illustrate leadership strategies and techniques that are poignantly applicable to 21st century leadership in virtually any field of endeavor.
Overview
September 11, 2001, not unlike December 7, 1941, is a date that will “. . . live in infamy.” Hindsight demonstrates that there were several warnings and numerous indicators that terrorism, both in scope and intensity, was growing and changing. Nonetheless, the catastrophic events of 9/11 shocked the world and rocked the sensibility of the United States regarding the contemporary realities of global terrorism. This seminar focuses on Flight 93, within the greater context of the tragic events of 9/11.
Because of an unanticipated delay in their departure time, the passengers and crew onboard United Fight 93 found themselves in what can only be described as a fatal struggle between good and evil. Selflessly, they chose to do that which was good and right. Knowing that their lives were to be sacrificed, they acted to prevent additional loss of life. By so doing they thwarted plans that could have produced catastrophic worldwide consequences. One historian concluded that, “The crew and passengers of Flight 93, may well have spared humankind from the impact of a conflict that could easily have become another world war.”
Logistics
Summary of Topics
ARC Leadership
Seminars and keynote presentations in the Leadership Under Fire series, each offer their own distinctive leadership lessons and insights. Those lessons and insights are based on specific historical events, occurrences, and trends. They are discussed and unified as they relate to three critical attributes common among great leaders—Accessibility, Reliability, and Commitment. When brought together, those attributes are the basis of an ARC leadership model.
Flight 93 Lessons & Insights
This seminar affords participants the opportunity to look at the story of 9/11 with a focus on the fateful end of United Flight 93 near Stoystown, Pennsylvania. Leadership lessons are richly illustrated through events and actions leading up to, during, and following that day. Those lessons afford worthy models of both organizational and personal successes and failures. Attention is given to attributes of strong leaders, strategic leadership initiatives, and tactical actions to address strategies, meet goals, and fulfill missions. Examples of these captivating, historically-based lessons include:
Participate Feedback
“Our leadership team has engaged with Dr. McGough for three years. Participating in his leadership development programs rooted in historical context has been transformative. By studying the decisions and strategies of history’s great leaders, we gained insights that are both timeless and directly applicable to modern challenges. Learning how leaders navigated
crises, motivated their teams, and turned vision into action showed us new perspectives that traditional business training often overlooks. This approach grounded in history didn’t just teach us what outstanding leadership looks like – it helped us understand why certain decisions resonate and endure. We feel equipped with a more strategic mindset and a deeper
appreciation for the importance of resilience and foresight in leadership. Highly recommended for anyone ready to elevate their leadership skills in a truly unique way!”
Dr. Amy Arcurio
Superintendent
Greater Johnstown School District
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
“Dr. McGough has been a tremendous influence in my career as an Emergency Services Professional, an instructor, and in my personal life as well. His ability to connect with people, and connect people to others, is a gift that many professionals can benefit and learn from. Our personnel have a tremendous amount of respect for him and find his leadership lessons interesting and of value on both a personal and professional level. The preparation and attention to detail that he puts into his programs are evident in the high quality of the final product. Regardless of your industry or position, Dr. McGough has something to offer everyone he engages.”
Daniel J. Hoff
Fire Chief
York Area United Fire and Rescue
York, Pennsylvania
“Our experience with Leadership Under Fire seminars provided by Mike McGough have been amazing. The lessons and insights provided are all historically based, and they offer essential guidance for today’s leaders. Dr. Mike’s historical narratives and associated lessons have proven to be fascinating to my team. A seminar with him is a powerful experience that I highly recommend for everyone.”
Dr. Gregg Paladina
Superintendent
New Castle Area School District
New Castle, Pennsylvania
A frequently overlooked aspect of leadership is how leaders lead themselves. One of the critical attributes of most successful leaders is a skill set necessary to be a successfully personal leader. This keynote and seminar offers practical strategies and techniques to enhance personal leadership. The stark reality and undeniable truth of the relationship between personal leadership and personal well-being is clearly illustrated time and again throughout this seminar.
A single core belief is the base upon which this seminar rests. Simply stated, that belief is, “You are not the most powerful person in the world, but you are the most powerful person in your world!” Building on that simple belief, participants look at three critical aspects of their daily lives. These include: Interpersonal Relationships, Time Management, and Care of the Self. Throughout this interactive keynote and seminar, participants are challenged to look at these three aspects of life and consider the degree to which they currently engage in active personal leadership, and how they can enhance and expand their active personal leadership.
The strategies and techniques presented in this seminar are offered from a whole-person perspective. Understanding that a change in one aspect of a person’s life undoubtedly affects the others, participants are encouraged to consider all phases of their lives and recognize their interrelatedness. An understanding and appreciation for this perspective lies at the very heart of successful, long-term, personal leadership, and one’s ability to lead others.