A couple of years ago, I made a goal to visit every presidential museum.

So far, I’ve been to:
 
-George Washington 
-Thomas Jefferson
-James Buchanan
-Abraham Lincoln 
-Rutherford B. Hayes
-James Garfield
-Grover Cleveland
-William McKinley
-Woodrow Wilson
-Warren G. Harding
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
-Lyndon B. Johnson
-Richard Nixon
-Jimmy Carter
-Ronald Reagan
-George H. W. Bush
-George W. Bush
 
Each one has been a masterclass in leadership, full of stories, strategy, mistakes, and moments that shaped history.
 
Today is President William McKinley’s birthday.
 
Most people know him as the guy right before Theodore Roosevelt...and that’s about it.
 
But McKinley led the nation through massive industrial and international transformation, and there are big takeaways for business leaders today.
 
Here’s what struck me about McKinley:
 
-He was calm during chaos, steering America through the Spanish-American War while expanding the economy.
 
Great leaders don’t just survive crises; they leverage them. McKinley turned a war into a strategic moment of global growth (and brand building for America, too).
 
-He prioritized economic growth, believing a strong domestic economy was the foundation for peace and power.
 
Protect your core business. When markets shift, don’t chase fads. Double down on what drives sustainable value.
 
-He surrounded himself with smart, trusted advisors like Mark Hanna (a master political strategist).
 
Build a braintrust. If you’re the smartest person in every room, you’re in the wrong rooms.
 
 
Sadly, McKinley’s life was cut short; he was assassinated in 1901, ushering in the Roosevelt era. But his calm, calculated leadership left a blueprint for modern presidential and executive decision-making.
 
He once said:
 
“In the time of darkest defeat, victory may be nearest.”
 
Let that one sit with you the next time things look bleak in business.
 
Today, I’m honoring McKinley by reflecting on the value of steady leadership, strategic protection, and making bold moves in uncertain times.
 
Have you ever visited his memorial and museum in Canton, Ohio? It's well worth the trip.