Day 4 - Reliving The American Civil War

We began the day with a 6:15 am departure from our hotel, to meet our battlefield guide in Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania.  Over breakfast our guide, Bruce Rice started with an orientation on what to expect during our tour of Gettysburg and began to explain the relevance of leadership as it pertains to The Battle.

Bruce had us split into four teams of six, where we were tasked to reenact scenes from the war at specific locations throughout the battlefield.  These scenes were complete with dialogue, some minor props and prompts for emotions to help us capture the feeling of our named characters.  This proved to be exceedingly helpful in gaining a more concrete understanding for the context of the dialogue, as it pertained to specific scenarios during the bloody and treacherous three day battle at Gettysburg.   It was helpful that our guide had an extensive background in history, as well as an very good comprehension of Class 43's current curriculum   This proved helpful in understanding how principles of EQ or "Emotional Intelligence" were in play, and what styles of leadership were both effective, and ineffective.

Our guide's explanation also helped explain how Resonant Leadership played a vital role in the outcome of the war.  In the book "Primal Leadership" by Dr. Annie McKee, she discusses how dissonant leaders are dangerous to the idea of resonant leadership.  This manifestation was no better seen, than in General Sickles insubordination to specific orders by General Mead, which results in unintended consequences of a catastrophic loss of life.  This deliberate act, almost costs The North the war.  We even began to think about other concepts that were introduced at our most recent seminar in Fresno, such as Dr. Candice Skrapec's lecture at our last seminar in Fresno on "The Biology of Impulsivity."  With all of this information, it's our assertion, that General Sickles underwent a malfunction of the frontal lobes of the cerebral cortex!  For those folks unfamiliar with with Dr. Skarpec's lectures, this is the area of our brain for decision making.  Any malfunction of this area in the brain, can result in impulsive behavior.

As we concluded our 14.5 hour day, we had an opportunity to reflect with the group on what we've learned over the last few days on the East Coast.  This day, without question has furthered our comprehension of how all decisions that are made, be it big or small, has an affect on all levels.  And as basic as that concept is, it still remains to be one of the most powerful leadership lessons of all.  

Content contributed by Presiding Fellows Carson Britz, Helen McGrath, Eric Genzoli