Founders #320 The Making of Winston Churchill Part 2
Importance of Early Failure
- Churchill's early failures were crucial for his later success during World War II.
- His younger, more exuberant personality, though initially successful, needed tempering through setbacks.
Believe in Yourself
- Believe in your own potential, even when others doubt you.
- Your self-opinion matters more than the opinions of others.
Irrepressible Spirit
- Churchill's irrepressible spirit and belief in individual agency drove his actions.
- He believed great leaders shape history, not impersonal systems.
What I learned from reading Young Titan: The Making of Winston Churchill by Michael Shelden.
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(5:00) It was better for the world that he had known failure and suffered moments of self doubt.
(6:00) There was something in Churchill's character that simply wouldn't allow him to give up. He was a dangerous optimist.
(8:00) History likes winners.
(9:30) The adventures and ordeals of those early years were essential to the making of a man who triumphed in the second world war.
(10:00) At 40 he was largely written off as a man whose best days were behind him. (Churchill shares a lot of parallels with Steve Jobs)
(10:30) He fashioned his career as a grand experiment to prove that he could work his will on his times. Persevering in that approach, despite repeated setbacks and often harsh ridicule of those who didn't share his high opinion of himself.
(13:00) At the heart of this story is an irrepressible spirit.
(17:30) Little men let events take their course. I like things to happen. And if they don't happen, I like to make them happen.
(15:00) In every age there are great men. Why not us? And why not now?
(19:30) Churchill mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.
(22:00) While other politicians were content to get their information from a scattering of newspapers, Churchill devoured whole shelves.
(23:00) Winston Churchill wanted to be the dominant political figure of his time.
(23:30) Robert Caro's books on Lyndon Johnson
(26:30) Listen to Invest Like The Best #343 David Senra
(30:00) If a man is sure of himself it only sharpens him and makes him more effective.
(35:00) Another thing Steve Jobs and Winston Churchill had in common: High Energy. This story about Steve Jobs in incredible.
(36:00) The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson. (Founders #196)
(44:00) Churchill to his son: “Your idle and lazy life is very offensive to me. You appear to be leading a perfectly useless existence." — The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson. (Founders #196)
(48:00) Larry Ellison: I know that most people think trying to build a hard wing of this size is crazy. But that’s the beauty of the idea. The other side isn’t trying to build one. So we’ll have a wing, and they won’t. — The Billionaire and The Mechanic(Founders #126)
(50:30) Winston's opponents never tired of saying that he was unreasonable.
(58:00) All of the Winston Churchill episodes:
The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson. (Founders #196)
Churchill by Paul Johnson. (Founders #225)
Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill by Candice Millard. (Founders #319)
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Founders Notes gives you the superpower to learn from history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. You can search all my notes and highlights from every book I've ever read for the podcast. Get access to Founders Notes here.
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Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast