In this episode of Leadership and Legacy, Brook Manville, author of The Civic Bargain: How Democracy Survives, discusses the concept of leadership in a democracy. He emphasizes that democracy is fundamentally a bargain, a system of self-governance where citizens act as checks on one another's power, ensuring that no single individual or "boss" can dominate. Drawing upon historical examples from Athens, Rome, and Great Britain, Manville highlights the challenges democracies face as they grow in scale and complexity.

This is the last episode of season one of Leadership and Legacy. Season two, featuring interviews with current library executive director Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, will debut in early 2025.

For more information about this program, go to www.GeorgeWashingtonPodcast.com.

Leadership and Legacy: Conversations at the George Washington Presidential Library is a production of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association. This podcast is hosted by Dr. Patrick Spero and Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky. Our executive producers are Dr. Anne Fertig and Heather Soubra.

This podcast episode features an interview with Dr. Colleen Shogan, the director of the National Archives and Records Administration. Dr. Shogan discusses the importance of effective leadership and communication, particularly in her role overseeing a vast collection of historical records. She emphasizes the need for clear and direct communication, especially when delivering difficult messages. Dr. Shogan also reflects on her career path, highlighting the influence of her academic background in political science and her experiences working in government. She shares insights into the challenges of leading a large organization, navigating the digital transformation, and the importance of being adaptable and thoughtful in decision-making. The episode concludes with Dr. Shogan's call for greater public engagement with the National Archives and a reminder that these records belong to the citizens.

For more information about this program, go to www.GeorgeWashingtonPodcast.com.

Leadership and Legacy: Conversations at the George Washington Presidential Library is a production of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association. This podcast is hosted by Dr. Patrick Spero and Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky. Our executive producers are Dr. Anne Fertig and Heather Soubra.

In this episode of Leadership and Legacy, General David Petraeus and historian Andrew Roberts discuss the art of leadership, drawing from their book Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine. They explore the timeless principles of strategic leadership, emphasizing the importance of getting the big ideas right, communicating them effectively, overseeing their implementation, and adapting to changing circumstances. Through examples from history, including Napoleon, George III, and Churchill, they illustrate how these principles have been applied by successful leaders across different contexts.

For more information about this program, go to www.GeorgeWashingtonPodcast.com.

Leadership and Legacy: Conversations at the George Washington Presidential Library is a production of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association. This podcast is hosted by Dr. Patrick Spero and Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky. Our executive producers are Dr. Anne Fertig and Heather Soubra.