In order to be a truly effective leader, it is necessary to learn as much as possible from the examples of history—the disasters as well as the triumphs. At Gettysburg, Union and Confederate commanders faced a series of critical leadership challenges under the enormous stress of combat. The fate of the nation hung in the balance. These leaders each responded in different ways, but the concepts and principles they applied during those traumatic three days contain critical lessons for today's leaders that are both useful and applicable—whether those leaders manage operations at a large corporation, supervise a public institution, lead an athletic team, or govern a state or municipality. In the twenty-first century, leadership is the indispensable quality that separates successful organizations from failures. Successful leaders communicate vision, motivate team members, and inspire trust. One must move both people and the collective organization into the future while, at the same time, dealing with the past. A leader must learn to master the dynamic requirements of decision-making and change.

Jeffrey McCausland is the founder and CEO of Diamond6 Leadership and Strategy, LLC and a retired U.S. Army colonel. He also serves as a Visiting Professor of International Security Affairs at Dickinson College and is a former Distinguished Visiting Professor of Research and Minerva Chairholder at the U.S. Army War College.

Tom Vossler served thirty years active military service in the U.S. Army to include command of an infantry platoon in combat during the Vietnam War. Since retiring as a colonel in 1998, Tom has worked as a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg where he specializes in battlefield studies and leadership seminars for national and international military units and civilian corporations.

Description courtesy of Post Hill Press.