George Washington: Lessons from Early Failures

Illustration by Sergio García Sánchez and Lola Moral/For The Washington Post

Opinion

By Colleen Shogan

July 3, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. EDT

Colleen Shogan is a senior fellow in civics education at Stand Together and has previously served as a United States archivist.

In 1754, a young George Washington was tasked with asserting British claims over the frontier of what is now southwestern Pennsylvania. Virginia’s colonial lieutenant governor Robert Dinwiddie sent him to confront the French, who had set up forts in the contested area.

An eager Washington, hoping to prove himself, acted hastily. He led an attack on a French troop at the Battle of Jumonville Glen. This brief skirmish, lasting only 15 minutes, resulted in the deaths and injuries of 14 French soldiers. The French leader, Joseph Coulon de Villiers de Jumonville, was killed by an ally of Washington. The French alleged they were ambushed.

Fearing retaliation, Washington constructed Fort Necessity. Unfortunately, its location was poorly chosen—an open meadow susceptible to assault. The French, led by Jumonville’s half-brother Louis Coulon de Villiers, attacked and defeated Washington’s forces.

Washington’s surrender included signing a French document, inadvertently admitting Jumonville’s “assassination.” This provided the French with propaganda against the British. The following year, Washington faced defeat again at the Battle of the Monongahela.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, these stories are part of local lore. While exploring the historic trails, I often pondered the unmarked graves beneath my feet. Washington’s early biography is less known, revealing a young man who made mistakes before becoming the famed general and first president of the United States.

Washington confronted his limitations through these failures. The events at Jumonville Glen showed him the dangers of unchecked ambition. Fort Necessity taught him the consequences of surrender and poor tactical decisions. These weren’t abstract learnings; they were immediate and profound lessons.

Over time, Washington developed caution and discipline. He learned to navigate terrain wisely, gather intelligence, and preserve his forces. His deliberate approach when crossing the Delaware River in 1776 relied on timing and surprise. Most significantly, he learned to regulate ambition, becoming persistent over impulsive.

Washington’s journey illustrates how failure intertwines with leadership. The traits of effective leaders—judgment, resilience, self-control—often emerge from adversity. Although dramatic films like “Young Washington” might not capture every detail accurately, they can convey the essence of Washington’s development into a leader.

Washington’s life teaches that leadership qualities are not innate. They develop through experience, gaining knowledge, and learning from failures.