Leadership Lessons From Thomas Jefferson

A lot has been written about our Founding Fathers over the years.  Obviously, Thomas Jefferson was one of them.  He eventually became the 3^rd President of the United States.  He is well known for drafting the Declaration of Independence.  President Jefferson was selected for this task because he had clear handwriting and he had a special way with words.

Over time, Thomas Jefferson developed a list of axioms for personal behavior that he would share with his family and friends.  This advice developed into Thomas Jefferson’s 10 Rules of Life and was published in The Western Farmer as early as 1839.

On a trip to Washington, D.C. in early 2018, my wife and I visited the Jefferson Memorial.  There, I stumbled across a small postcard with Jefferson’s Ten Rules imprinted on it. 

I couldn’t believe that I had never heard about Jefferson’s list before. 

I quickly purchased the postcard and sat down and reviewed it.  The simplicity and universal applicability drew me Jefferson’s 10 Rules of Life.  These axioms are as relevant today as when they were written.

If followed, I am confident this list will help you be a better leader and a better person.

Let’s take a quick look at Thomas Jefferson’s wisdom.

1. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today

It is interesting that Jefferson put this axiom first on his list.  In reality, it is not surprising.  We as individuals and leaders stumble into trouble repeatedly when we procrastinate.  This is especially true when confronting personnel issues.  What could have been simply handled becomes more complicated and can even become a crisis if you put the problem off until tomorrow.

2. Never trouble another for what you can do yourself

Leaders are about doing.  Effective leaders are also able to delegate certain tasks for strategic reasons, many of which benefit the one delegated with the task.  I don’t think this is what Jefferson is talking about here.  Some tasks should be completed by you and not someone else, regardless of what position you hold in the organization. 

When I conduct interviews for promotions, I don’t identify the best delegator and promote that person.  Instead, I identify the best leader; the one doing the work and pick him or her.

There are just some tasks you should do yourself.  The real trick is being able to differentiate between those tasks and the ones you should delegate.  

3. Never spend money before you have earned it

Anyone with experience managing an agencies budget understands that you can’t spend money you don’t have.  Sadly, that lesson is lost on many individuals today.  I have witnessed many examples over the years where officers had a part-time job coming up, and they went ahead and bought something and then the part-time job ended.

Still worse, was officers who had a regular part-time job, so they bought a car, boat or motorcycle anticipating using the part-time job money to make the payment.  When the part-time job was canceled, they either lost the item or had to scramble to replace the income.

I think Jefferson was also talking about not going into debt above and beyond the capacity you have to pay the debt.

Don’t do it.

4. Never buy what you don’t want because it is cheap

Have you ever known someone who bought something because it was a good deal and not because they needed it?  Have you ever been that person?

I can remember my wife coming home after shopping at Sam’s Warehouse Club where she purchased 12 of some item because it was a “great” deal.  I think it took us years to use it up.   

This concept should apply to work as well.  Our budgets come from public funds, and we should be judicious about how that money is spent.  We certainly shouldn’t waste it, but we also shouldn’t buy something because it is cheap or a good deal.  We should first determine if we need it and then buy what we need, nothing more or nothing less.

Resist the urge to buy the new shinny object because it is the new shinny object. 

5. Pride costs more than hunger, thirst, and cold

Jefferson knew the real cost of pride.  He could easily have fallen into its trap.  After all, Jefferson drafted the United States Constitution, later became Vice-President and eventually became President.  Yet, he did not let pride rule his life and neither should we.

If you are fortunate enough to be placed in a position of leadership, it is an opportunity for you to serve others and the organization.  Your focus should not be on you.  If you focus on yourself as you achieve success, you will eventually be standing alone and will miss other opportunities to lead.

Don’t let pride get in the way of your success.

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6. We seldom repent of having eaten too little

I don’t think I need to expand on this one too much.  There is an entire industry devoted to getting us to lose weight.  According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 39.8% of adults aged 20 and over are obese.  Shockingly, 71.6% of adults aged 20 and over are overweight. 

Work hard to be healthy and stay in shape and help others do the same.

7. Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly

Your most important resource is time.  It is finite.  Don’t waste your time on tasks that do not contribute to moving you forward, helping others or moving your organization forward.  It is easy to get distracted and chase rabbits.

A man who chases two rabbits catches neither.

Confucius

There is a lot of truth to this statement.  Don’t let others dictate how you use your time.  Instead, focus on those things that are most important to you.

8. How much pain the evils cost us that never happened

The nature of our work as law enforcement leaders provides opportunities for us to worry often.  Many of the things we worry about rarely come true or turn out to be much less of an issue than we thought.

I’m not suggesting ignoring problems or keeping your head in the sand.  Instead, I’m suggesting that it is a waste of your time and energy to worry about something that may or may not happen.  A number of studies suggest that 85 % of what people worry about never comes true.

The cost of worry can be expensive.

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9. Take things always by the smooth handle

I thought about this one and did some research on it as well.  It may literally mean to not grab the wrong end of objects that could hurt you like a knife.  Of course, this is true.  However, I think there is more to it.

Don’t get defensive and upset when someone offers you criticism or comments that you don’t agree with or like.  Becoming defensive is easy.  Most people are trying to help you, and if you take their criticism by the smooth handle, you might learn something from it and improve.

Even if their intentions are not pure, you will likely benefit from how you receive the information and how you respond.

10. When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, count a hundred

Never, ever, ever, ever speak before you think.  Speaking before you think is a sin that could have long-lasting consequences to you and your career. 

I get it.  I understand.  Sometimes, it can be difficult to catch yourself in the heat of the moment.  Do yourself a favor and count to ten.  You can never take back something once it leaves your lips.

I have certainly put my foot in my mouth on many occasions. 

If you are really angry, count to 100!

Conclusion

I found Jefferson’s 10 Rules of Life to be extremely helpful.  It is amazing how something written so long ago, can still be applicable today.  I think this is a testament to the person who came up with the list as well as the universality of human nature. 

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