Dear Reader!

What does leading a school or nonprofit have to do with leading a nation?

A whole lot, it turns out.

When I was in London last week with my kids for their mid-winter break, we went to the fascinating Churchill War Rooms.

(Have you been? I’d love to hear–if not, I highly recommend a visit.)

Over the last 16 months, I’ve kind of gotten into World War 2–experiencing fascism on the rise in 2026 has made me look to history for inspiration and for examples on what regular people did in the past when they were faced with similar challenges.

Touring the war rooms was likely travelling back in time–the offices were incredibly well-preserved, and as a total leadership geek I couldn’t help but make so many connections to the work you all do.

Here are 6 lessons in bold that are true for you then and were true then too. In case you need a boost this last Friday in February, I wanted to remind you that we are all individually doing important work in our quest to make the world a more kind and just place.

Your leadership team is everything.

Space in an underground bunker is at a minimum–so it was especially striking there was only essentially one medium-sized room, which was the Chief of Staffs Meeting Room. It spoke to me from across the ages, on just how critically important it is that your senior team has a place to meet that is private, professional and where they can wrestle with problems that have no easy answers.

The importance of leader mindset can’t be overestimated.

Touring those rooms was a reminder in how dire the world looked for many years–as the Nazis came to power and then invaded other countries. When Churchill was elected Prime Minister, he was the breath of fresh air and determination that the world needed: his “never never never never never give in" quote during The Blitz resonates today. He was both clear eyed about challenges and convinced that ultimately he would prevail in the end.

It’s critical to be ruthless about protecting the way we use people and their time.

The War Cabinet Secretariat produced agendas and minutes for over 8,000 meetings from 400 different committees and subcommittees. At the direct request of Churchill, the highly efficient head of that department reduced total time in meeting and kept minutes short. Staff was highly trained to write minutes and conclusions effectively since meetings were not always immediately clear in their conclusions. Some things have changed since the 1940s, but not meetings and how they can be a vexing use of time if not properly managed.

In the throes of leadership, making time to eat is important.

One of the rooms was Churchill’s private dining room–a good reminder that it’s hard to be an effective leader if you’re hungry.

Systems are essential.

This door had every key needed the war rooms here–and was on the back of the bedroom door of a leader. Clear organization and systems matter–it’s hard to win a war if you can’t get into the room that broadcasts to the BBC or calls the Oval Office directly.

Communication and accurate data are at the heart of ensuring alignment.

The map room, covered with maps, charts and graphs, had up to date information on everything from the progression of troops across the globe to the count of bombs dropped on London in the past 24 hours.

I finished reading this while we were away and am now immersed in this which I bought in the gift shop.

I find turning to history is often useful for inspiration and examples--do you ever do this too?

Write back and let me know--at some point my WWII kick will end and I'll need another era and different leaders to look to!

Take care,

Beth

ps. Thanks so much to everyone who completed the survey on what you want to see more of! Templates and short videos were the clear winners--although there was enough interest in others to sprinkle those in too...

so now I'm cooking up what would be most useful to you right now. I'm thinking things related to hiring given time of year--but you tell me! Hit reply and let me know--I read and respond to every email and I am making plans for March now!

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