General McClellan had significant character flaws that I believe serve as warning signs to anyone in leadership. Ultimately, these cost him dearly: He lost Lincoln’s confidence, his job, and a run for the White House (against Lincoln). Worse, they prolonged the Civil War and cost the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides of the conflict.

Sometimes you learn from positive role models. Often you learn from negative ones. This is one of the reasons I love to read history—you inevitably get both.

After watching Steven Spielberg’s movie Lincoln, I decided to review Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I had read this book a few years ago. It is a page-turning account of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency and his political genius.

At the beginning of Lincoln’s first term, he appointed each of his former Republican rivals….One such individual was General George B. McClellan, commander of the “Army of the Potomac” and, eventually, first general-in-chief of the Union Army.

General McClellan had significant character flaws that I believe serve as warning signs to anyone in leadership….

Here are the five flaws I jotted down as I read the book:

1. Hesitating to take definitive action. McClellan was constantly preparing. According to him, the Army was never quite ready…. In his procrastination, he refused to engage the enemy, even when he clearly had the advantage….
2. Complaining about a lack of resources. He constantly complained about the lack of available resources. He didn’t have enough men….
3. Refusing to take responsibility. McClellan blamed everyone else for his mistakes and for his refusal to act. He even blamed the President….
4. Abusing the privileges of leadership. While his troops were struggling in almost unbearable conditions, McClellan lived in near-royal splendor….
5. Engaging in acts of insubordination. McClellan openly and continually criticized the President, his boss. He was passive-aggressive….

President Lincoln had the patience of Job. He gave General McClellan numerous opportunities to correct his behavior and redeem himself….

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