Happy day-after America's 250!
As inspiring as the Declaration of Independence is, there’s something even more compelling to me in the many days after that first July 4th.
Uniting to declare independence from a tyrant king, the 13 unique colonies had one goal, one villain and one cause. But once that independence was officially declared, how could those separate and very distinct entities stay united?
Especially given how differently they each viewed taxation, representation and the deepest moral question of all - slavery.
So in the days and years after July 4th, collaboration and consensus had to have been a very dynamic undertaking to say the least.
History, and now Broadway musicals, tell us of big, bold, charismatic characters like Washington, Franklin, Adams, and Hamilton. There was one particular character though who, while not an audacious orator, created impact felt centuries later.
James Madison.
The Father of The Constitution was small and sickly. He studied, not at a local college as was customary, but further north largely due to his ailments. Military service was out of the question.
And despite studying debate in college, he dropped his law studies once he realized he didn’t have the charisma to effectively argue in courtrooms.
Then he found his patriotism.
As the country was finding itself, Madison found his own stride. He stepped up to draft articles in Virginia and began to flourish. So much so that he was part of the delegation for the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
By this time in his career, he was crafting creative and clever articles which captured the core of the republic like no other. Yet as he waited for all the other delegates to arrive, he found himself doubting his ability to convince and persuade. He began strategizing how to best introduce his ideas. He knew he didn’t have a chance against those audacious orators. But his ideas, the republic? Those were worth fighting for, worth finding a way forward.
And fight he did.
Many delegates remarked that conversations with Madison left one feeling that his ideas were so logical and had so much common sense that it was a fool’s errand to follow any other path.
Madison became adept at conversations which connected his ideas to what mattered to the other person.
He did often take the floor at public and government meetings, but history shows us that Madison did his best work in smaller settings. He understood his own strengths, took time to understand others, and never lost sight of what the young country actually needed. His clear thinking coupled with his strong conversation skills became hallmarks of his reputation.
Madison let the Hamiltons, Franklins and Adamses of their time have the spotlight. He knew the real work happened not when the room felt entertained, but when it felt understood.
Hamilton has the musical. Madison has the Constitution. Which one does your room actually need right now?
Truly,
Jackie
Quiet Signal
What's the one idea you keep circling that your room actually needs to hear right now? And how can you frame it so it aligns to what matters to them?
Signal Boosts
Want to explore more? Check out these resources:
Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis - a collection of unique and very specific events involving key Revolutionary figures. Ellis takes the reader with him as he explores the events and the people which formed our country.
If you or someone you know needs to refine an idea for a room that matters, my
Speak Up More package is a great place for that.
My most recent
article for CUInsight.com covers how and why rising leaders need to rethink 'speak up more'.
July's No Reading Required book chat will cover Radical Candor. Author Kim Scott takes on how empathy is often ruinous (!?!) and honest conversations are what's needed instead. July 21st. Noon. Reply for details.
What's On My Radar
Really enjoyed Founding Brothers and now into 1776 for the second time. Blazed through Yesteryear a few weeks ago and am still thinking about that wild ride! Cheering on my garden as I gather cut blooms for the week: keep up the fantastic work mighty flowers! Excited about a staycation coming up to hit the links, the pool and the library. What are you up to these days?
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Hi there! I'm Jackie.
I help thoughtful people influence outcomes without having to become someone they’re not.
LinkedIn Website
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Thank you for reading!
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