Revolutionary Leadership: 5 Business Lessons from George Washington

In my youth I used to be an avid reader, tearing through books whenever I had the chance. Back then, there weren’t as many distractions – no endless content competing for attention. These days, I’ve switched to audiobooks. Like many of you, I spend a lot of time in the car, and listening to a good book makes the drive so much better. Plus, it helps me stay calm instead of stewing over traffic. The downside? Any time I try to sit down with a physical book, I somehow end up taking an unplanned nap. Getting older, I guess.

Lately, I’ve been listening to David McCullough’s 1776, which dives into the struggles George Washington and his army faced at the start of the Revolutionary War.

We tend to think of Washington as a larger-than-life hero, but in 1776, he was leading an army constantly on the brink of collapse. His soldiers were a mix of farmers, teachers, shoemakers, and young boys – brave but inexperienced. They faced poor pay, extreme hardship, and the crushing weight of war.

It wasn’t just the British he had to battle – Washington struggled with Congress and trusting his own generals. At times they doubted him too. Through letters to friends, we see that he wrestled with doubt, discouragement, and the fear of failure. But despite it all, he kept pushing forward, inspiring those around him to do the same.

The more I listened, the more I realized how much Washington’s leadership struggles mirror the challenges of running a business. No, the fate of a nation isn’t at stake, but when you’re a business owner, your livelihood is on the line. And failure? It can be devastating.
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Here are five key lessons from Washington’s experience that every business owner can learn from.

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1. Persevere Through Difficult Times
One of Washington’s greatest strengths was his perseverance. No matter how bad things got, he never gave up—and things got really bad. His army was outnumbered, outgunned, and constantly short on supplies. The odds were stacked against him, so he had to play the hand he was dealt. He didn’t fight every battle—focusing instead on the ones where he had a chance to win.

Running a business isn’t all that different. It takes time, effort, and a lot of determination. And let’s be honest – it’s not easy. There will be moments of frustration, setbacks that make you question everything. But success comes from pushing through, staying focused on your strategic goals, not getting lost in the minutia, and playing to your strengths.

2. Embrace Diversity and Leverage Individual Strengths
The Continental Army was a mixed bag of people from all walks of life. Farmers, teachers, craftsmen – each with different skills and backgrounds. At first, this made things messy. But with time, Washington learned to embrace that diversity. His army included free and enslaved Black men, Native Americans, and foreign recruits, all bringing something unique to the fight.

I know diversity can be a loaded topic these days, but at its core, having a variety of perspectives makes you stronger. Even the Bible puts it plainly: “Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.” (Proverbs 11:14 NLT)

The same goes for running a business. Owners often struggle to find that one perfect hire to push their company forward. But the truth is, long-term success isn’t about constantly chasing unicorns—it’s about developing the people you already have.

You won’t always know what you’re getting when you build your team. That’s why good leaders look beyond résumés and keep an eye out for raw talent – people with potential who just need the right guidance. Invest in them, and you’ll build a stronger, more resilient business.

3. Maintain Faith in Your Team and Lead by Example
One of Washington's greatest strengths was his unwavering commitment to his cause and his ability to lead by example. The odds of failure were high, and even though he had overwhelming doubts about whether he could handle the monumental task ahead, he never let that stop him. Washington was intentional about inspiring his team and motivating through his actions, often putting himself in harm's way.

Small business owners can take a page out of Washington's book. Leading by example and showing dedication to your business is crucial. Pointing fingers and blaming others doesn’t work, because leadership doesn’t shine by making someone else look bad. Instead, guide your team and demonstrate your commitment. Be an example that will inspire and motivate your employees to do more than they believed they could.

4. Master the Art of Communication and Delegation
One of Washington’s biggest challenges was keeping his army informed, motivated, and on the same page. Without modern communication tools, he had to rely on handwritten letters, messengers, and trusted officers to relay crucial information. Sometimes, it took months to send and receive messages, and there was always the risk of plans falling into the enemy's hands. Washington learned the hard way that clear and decisive communication was essential for executing his commands effectively and keeping morale high. He knew he couldn’t do everything himself, so he had to trust his officers and delegate wisely.

Fast forward to today, and we’re blessed with instantaneous communication. But just because we can communicate quickly doesn’t mean we always do it well. After 17 years of marriage, I still struggle to interpret what my wife is really trying to tell me!

Many leaders think they’re great communicators when, in reality, they’re not. This can be especially tricky in emails, where tone and body language are missing. Plus, people tend to avoid conflict, so it’s no wonder that messages often get misunderstood.

Small business owners need to master the art of communication and delegation. Many leaders bottleneck decisions or fail to empower their teams. If you want your business to grow, you need to communicate your vision clearly and trust your team to carry it out. By fostering transparency and empowering employees to take ownership of their roles, you’ll create a more efficient and engaged workforce.

5. Be Willing to Adapt When Needed
Washington’s success was largely due to his ability to adapt to changing circumstances. When faced with unexpected challenges, he didn't stubbornly stick to a failing strategy. Instead, he was willing to make necessary changes on the fly to respond effectively to new threats and opportunities. Of course, that doesn't mean he didn't make mistakes. Some of his blunders cost many lives, but he learned quickly and wasn’t paralyzed by his mistakes. Failure isn't the opposite of success – it’s part of the journey.
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Small business owners need to embrace this mindset too. Whether it’s tweaking a business model, shifting marketing strategies, or restructuring the team - demonstrating flexibility is key. A successful leader knows that the ability to pivot in response to changing conditions can mean the difference between success and failure. Take some time to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your team and business model. Lean into your strengths and find ways to supplement your weaknesses.

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About the Author
Jason McGill – Oregon & SW Washington Practice Leader, The ASP Team

​Jason is a dynamic accounting and finance manager with a robust background in nonprofit leadership and over 15 years of experience. His career began in public accounting at a firm focused on nonprofit clients, which paved the way for his direct involvement as a financial leader in the nonprofit sector. His expertise encompasses leadership, data analysis, internal controls, financial statement preparation, and budgeting.
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Jason is a licensed CPA in Oregon, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from Walla Walla University and a MBA in Finance from California State University San Bernardino. 

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