This article focuses on a specific methodology for developing
leaders—the historical leadership lesson. We will explore
what this method’s objectives are, how it works, the
anecdotal evidence of outcomes and criteria for others to
use in formulating their own historical leadership lesson.
For years, leadership development has used a wide variety
of techniques and technologies for educating leaders and
giving them skills. These methods have evolved from the
early 1980s, focusing on case studies and roles plays to the
latest popular method—Action Learning. Methodological
requirements for successful leadership instruction have
changed with the generations. This article uses the Battle
of Gettysburg as a test case for the historical leadership
lesson. While its focus is American, its application is universal.
Participants are literally and figuratively transported
to a pivotal event in history, the dilemmas of leaders
are examined and debated, their decisions dissected…
sometimes second-guessed, and corollaries are drawn to current
leadership challenges.