Ox Hill Leadership Tours, LLC

Comments about the Gettysburg Leadership Seminar conducted for the Food and Drug Administration on May 8 & 9, 2017:

- The instructor's extensive knowledge about the battle and all of the personalities involved helped to illustrate the leadership lessons and tips in a way that will be very memorable outside of the classroom. 



- What I liked most was the historical background, stories, biographies of each character, skits played at the end of the session. The questions for discussion were concrete, direct, simple and rich.

- The Gettysburg Battlefield Leadership tour was amazing!

- What best served me as a leader in this seminar was the historical perspective on what it was like to make important decisions on limited information and with a fast turnaround - helps to understand how similar skills can be used in a less stressful work environment!


Comments about the Gettysburg Leadership Workshop held in Norman, OK on May 22, 2017:

- I really enjoyed the historical perspective and details on the characters, strategies, tactics, and interpersonal dynamics.  I thought the application of universal leadership principles to an extremely interesting historical narrative was a very engaging way to present the material - much more enjoyable than a lecture with stories and illustrations.  I feel like I gained both a history lesson and a leadership development course and both were better because of the other.  There's a real synergy in presenting in this manner.


- I really liked the case study approach to learning about leadership.  I enjoyed how we could learn about leadership from the actions or inactions of others during the Battle of Gettysburg.  Also, as a history buff I simply enjoyed the history lesson.  It was a well thought out and conducted workshop.  I would recommend this workshop to both novice and experienced leaders.  It provided fresh insights into leadership as well as a good refresher.  The workshop has good application to those who have to lead during crisis as leadership during warfare is similar.



Comments about the Leadership Seminars held for a Fortune 500 company in 2008 and 2009 at Gettysburg:

- I have been replaying several of the events in my head since the seminar.  I’ve also been thinking of Paul’s comments and perspective since the seminar.  This is something that really stuck with me.  Perhaps the best seminar I’ve attended in nineteen years of service.

 

- I enjoyed the seminar and it was the best leadership and team building exercise I’ve been to...Paul was very knowledgeable and did a great job comparing the battle decisions to the decisions we make.

 

- Probably the most enjoyable leadership seminar I’ve attended.  I like the fact that the specific topic/goal of the seminar (leadership) was combined a secondary educational topic (in this case the Civil War).  It’s a two-fer!

 

- I think looking at the various styles of leadership and management that played into the events on the battlefield will help me be a better manager and leader. As Paul talked about the various decisions that played into the outcome on the battlefield, I could see how some of those styles could help me make better decisions and be a better leader. I was also able to see how some of the things I do could be done better.

- I enjoyed the discussions on how some of the key decisions that were made actually impacted the outcome of the battle.  It was helpful to talk about the overall ramifications of seemingly insignificant decisions and how they truly made a big difference in the end.

- The “visual” provided by the experience of different leadership styles and their successes or failures based on the situation reinforces the need for me to consistently reflect on my leadership style for the situation at hand. Will reflect how that style may impact those I am leading, the potential outcome of success and/or failure, the need to listen to other opinions and the need to prepare, encourage and develop those I lead so they will be able to step in.

- I now recognize the importance of different types of direction needed by different individuals and how the smallest thing/error can lead to major problems.

- One of the best learning and general management meetings I have attended in a very long time.  Well done all around.   Special comments for Paul: He is a both a great presenter and quite professional.  He earned his fees many times over in my view.

 

 

Comments about the Congressional Staff Seminar held in August 2008 at Gettysburg:

- I really learned a lot from Paul and Jim, both about the battle in Gettysburg and also - how the leadership abilities of the Generals, etc, affected their decisions and actions.  A lot can be learned, even from their mistakes.  Thanks a million for a great day!

- It made me have to reconsider my approach to certain situations, or more accurately, to rethink the defense mechanisms that a Hill staffer develops in order to deal with some of the tougher situations.  In having Paul touch on some of these, it made me realize that the approach I was taking made me less open and approachable to staff.  

- The historical knowledge of both Jim and Paul was awesome.  Clearly they know their Civil War stuff.  That was helpful because they were able to field questions on the spot and not have to "think" about it - they were able to immediately apply it to current leadership/political/congressional events and make it relevant.

- I really enjoyed the blend of history with lessons on making sound managerial and political decisions in a Congressional office.  I was very impressed with Paul and Jim’s deep knowledge of Gettysburg, the major players, and the context of the decisions – good, bad and ugly, that were made.  Their keen ability to draw appropriate comparisons to the kinds of decisions made in our work environment really drove home age-old lessons on human nature.  As a result, the seminar was at once entertaining, and educational.  Thank you for a really great day.

- While many of your “critical leadership behaviors” are ones I’ve tried to practice in my professional career, examining decisions made in a pressure cooker situation help drive home lessons.  In particular I appreciated the lesson that sometimes your greatest strength can be your greatest weakness.    That gave me a lot to think about…I have thought a lot over the past two weeks about Meade, Lee, Longstreet, Sickles, Buford, Stuart, and Col. Chamberlain.

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