Lessons from Hamilton, Part II
"One Last Time"
Recently on a business trip to New York City, I had the opportunity to see Hamilton on Broadway for the second time. I watched it with a first-timer, who described it as “smart” - and, yes, that feels right.
I’m keen to share my thoughts on one of my favorite (maybe a hot take) songs from Hamilton, “One Last Time.”
In this song, George Washington tells Hamilton about his decision to step down and not run for President again, thereby establishing the concept of term limits for American presidents. Hamilton spends much of the song trying to convince him that he ought not step down, before finally conceding and helping Washington write his farewell address.
Some of my favorite bits:
In describing what he wants to do next, Washington sings:
“I wanna sit under my own vine and fig tree
A moment alone in the shade
At home in this nation we’ve made”
You miss it reading the lyrics, but in the musical Washington takes care to put emphasis on the word “we” - indicating that it was a shared effort by him and Hamilton. When you can look at the accomplishments that lay before you and acknowledge the contributions of others, you are secure in your leadership. At the same time, Washington isn’t overly sacrificial and also recognizes his role in the work done.
Another moment that I love is when Washington says:
“I wanna talk about what I have learned
The hard-won wisdom I have earned”
A quick Jenna story - when I was in college, I pledged a sorority. At the end of a particularly grueling day, there was a moment where each pledge individually was asked why we wanted to be a part of the club. Someone told me afterwards that I was the only one who said “because I’ve done everything I was supposed to, and I deserve it.”
I think that story demonstrates why I resonate with this moment in Hamilton. I take the experience and wisdom that I’ve earned seriously. This is something that I have been conflicted about throughout my career, but I think that I can finally articulate my perspective. Experience is important. Experience guides how to engage in certain situations, how to respond to different opportunities and challenges, when to lean in and when to lean out, etc.
This wisdom is earned through diversity of experience. This wisdom is not earned through time.
What that means - simply being older or having more years of experience alone does not make one necessarily more wise. Wisdom is about the quality of experience, not exclusively the quantity. So, while it is often the case that more years means more experiences, it is not universally true that more years means more depth of experience. The important thing to remember is that wisdom is earned - and I love that this moment in Hamilton not only captures that sentiment, but also comes at it from the perspective of sharing. Washington is acknowledging the depth of his experience with a willingness to share it with others. Again, this is a foundational tenant of leadership - using your experience as a currency that you can give to others on their own learning journeys.
Then, of course, there is the whole premise of the song. Washington is telling Hamilton that he is stepping away from his post. At one point, Hamilton expresses concern that this action will make Washington look weak, to which Washington replies:
“No, they will see we’re strong”
How often do we keep doing something because we are afraid of how it might be perceived if we stop? There is a lot behind Washington’s decision to step down, but what he wants to convey is that the strength of the Union is greater than any single person. The lyrics continue:
“If I say goodbye, the nation learns to move on
It outlives me when I’m gone”
How often do we talk about business continuity or single points of failure at work? Washington is saying that he is unwilling to be a single point of failure for the United States. He’s selflessly talking about the importance of sustainability. I think about this a lot at work - how can I leave this company or role better than when I came to it? What is going to be my professional impact and legacy here? How can I make this project outlast my tenure supporting it?
Ultimately, “One Last Time” is about a leader proactively stepping aside to make room for whatever comes next. I hope that as my career evolves, I have the wisdom to know when it is time to step away from a certain opportunity to make room for others. I also hope that those around me remember my leadership as one of compassion, caring, and acknowledgment of the collective contributions of those around me.