Principled and bold: How the Fourth of July can sharpen your leadership
This Independence Day, reflect on 5 core leadership principles inspired by the Founders -- and how they apply to your business, team, or community today.
"America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand."— Harry S. Truman
Chances are, no one’s reading about leadership as we head into the Fourth of July weekend. We’re gearing up to celebrate — fireworks, BBQs, getting the flags out, time with family and friends. I’m looking forward to watching fireworks in small-town Iowa, something I anticipate every year. Leadership probably isn’t top of mind — but in a way, isn’t that exactly what we’re celebrating?
While the Fourth of July is a historical milestone, it’s really much more than that. It’s about a choice. A bold, risky, visionary decision to stand for something bigger than safety. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, marking a clear line between what was and what could be. The Founding Fathers — Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and others — stepped into the unknown with conviction. And the Founding Mothers — Abigail Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, Deborah Sampson — influenced the outcome with courage, intellect, and persistence, even when history didn’t give them equal credit.
The leadership demonstrated by these individuals offers timeless guidance for the way we lead now. In fact, the story of American independence reveals 5 essential leadership principles that are just as relevant today as they were in 1776:
1. Lead with vision for the future
The Founders were reacting to a moment, yes – but they also knew they were designing a future. They imagined a country grounded in liberty, equality, and possibility, and then took action to build it.
That kind of vision is essential today. Whether you're leading a company, a classroom, or a community project, it’s not enough to manage the present. Great leadership creates momentum toward something better — something that doesn’t exist yet, but could.
2. Embrace uncertainty, don’t avoid it
Success was anything but certain in 1776. The risks were enormous, and the consequences of failure were deadly. But the Founders didn’t let that stop them. Today, uncertainty is everywhere — but it’s not a signal to pause. It’s often the starting point for progress. Leaders who navigate ambiguity with steady vision create change that outlasts circumstances.
3. Act with principle, always
The Declaration of Independence wasn’t tossed together for convenience. It was rooted in deeply held beliefs about dignity, freedom, and justice. These convictions shaped every decision.
In modern leadership, principles still matter — maybe more than ever. When choices get hard and pressure builds, values are what hold everything together. Abigail Adams’ appeal to “remember the ladies” was more than a personal plea — it was a challenge to lead with fairness and to include all voices, well ahead of its time.
4. Be fearless — strategic, but bold
Revolution didn’t come from playing it safe. The Founders were deliberate, but they were also daring. They faced down the most powerful empire in the world because they believed in a better way forward.
That same kind of boldness drives meaningful leadership today. Strategic leaders do not make reckless moves — rather, they take calculated risks at the right time, when they matter most. The leaders who make history are the ones who act when it counts, even when the path isn’t clear.
5. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — for all
That iconic phrase from the Declaration isn’t just beautiful and poetic. It is foundational. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness speaks to what leadership should strive for: Expanding freedom and opportunity, not just protecting them.
The Founders began that work, recognizing that democracy is not static – it was always meant to evolve. They built a framework, not a finished product, knowing that future generations would need to carry it forward.
Today, that responsibility falls to us. True leadership means making space for everyone to flourish – not just the majority or the loudest, but all. When we lead with belonging in mind, we help democracy fulfill its promise.
This Independence Day, lead forward…
As you fire up the grill, gather with loved ones, and watch fireworks light the sky, take a moment to reflect. The 4th of July is more than a picnic. More than fireworks. More than a tradition. It is a reminder of what bold, principled, visionary leadership can achieve.
Let that history push you forward. Lead with clarity. Step into uncertainty. Make values your foundation. Be courageously strategic. And most importantly, lead in a way that brings more freedom, more opportunity, and more dignity to everyone.
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An Invitation to Lead Differently
Leadership Outside the Box is dedicated to exploring the next wave of leadership, fostering out-of-the-box, future-focused thinking for leaders at every level. Through columns, interviews, videos, and real-time observations, I hope to spark your insight, challenge assumptions, and support your growth in the art and science of leadership. As the founder of Story Board Advisors, and having had the privilege of working for decades as a CEO, board director, executive coach, university faculty, and writer, my goal is to help you think differently, lead intentionally, and think about what is ahead, so you can truly make a difference in the world.
I invite you to read along and share your views. You can reach me at see sidebaca@storyboardadvisors.com.
Terrific column. I share your view that the Founders - both men and women - had a vision and took bold actions to achieve it. We need more leaders with those characteristics today.
Thank you, Suzanna. Your article contains messages we should all listen into and embrace. Democracy always needs to be defended and not taken for granted. Voices and Votes are critical as to preserve and defend what our forefathers fought for and created.