Leadership Lessons from History: Insights from Liz Cheney

Last month, at PCMA Convening Leaders, I had the opportunity to interview former American Congresswoman Liz Cheney. In case you’re keeping tabs, this conversation was five days before the inauguration and four days before Congresswoman Cheney and the January 6th committee were pre-emptively pardoned. But I won’t delve more into current politics than that here.

Instead, I want to go back in time.

I asked Congresswoman Cheney, “What should leaders be more intentional about integrating into their leadership practice right now?”

Her answer was simple yet profound: study history.

Why History Matters for Leaders

While that advice isn’t entirely uncommon, what stood out was her reasoning: throughout history, countless leaders have faced uncertainty, navigated complexity, and risen to challenges. We are not the first to grapple with such moments. We gain access to a wealth of leadership lessons from history by studying those who came before us.

This perspective resonated deeply because I often hear leaders express frustration about “operating without a blueprint.” It’s a sentiment delivered with a mix of resignation and justification, as though the absence of precedent allows us to throw up our hands and simply hope for the best.

But here’s the truth: we do have a blueprint. History is more than a record of events; it’s a guide—a reservoir of insights, strategies, and lessons. Generations before us have endured profound uncertainty, upheaval, and moments of reckoning. Their experiences can serve as a compass, offering us clarity, courage, and even inspiration.

We’re not the first to face the unknown, and we won’t be the last. If we take the time to look back, history can illuminate the path forward, showing us what to embrace and what to avoid. It’s a reminder that the answers we seek often await us in the stories of those who’ve walked this road before.

History: Not a Rearview Mirror—It’s Your Leadership GPS

Liz Cheney isn’t the only advocate for historical perspective. Her advice reminded me of another transformative conversation with Genevieve Bell, whom I interviewed for my book, The Leading Edge.

Bell’s background impresses. She studied cultural anthropology at Stanford. She shaped Intel’s product development for over twenty years. Now she serves as ANU’s first female Vice-Chancellor.

Our conversation focused on integrating question-asking into leadership. Bell believes we should study history not to find answers, but to frame better questions.

She used AI as an example. AI wasn’t born when ChatGPT launched in 2022. It began in 1956 during the Cold War when IBM and others tried to build machines to outsmart the USSR.

That history matters. IBM, Bell Telephone, and Rand led the first AI conference. They designed machines to analyze the Soviet threat. Sixty years later, we’re still building on foundations imagined during the Cold War for specific purposes.

Bell explains: “Going back in history doesn’t necessarily tell you the answer. The world is completely different now. But it helps generate questions we should ask today. Who else should be in the room? We know women and ethnic minorities weren’t in 1956. How would we include cultural and ecological data? Who else should we consult?”

History’s value lies in helping us ask better questions today.

Why Historical Context Matters for Modern Leaders

Genevieve shared a powerful example from the COVID pandemic. She highlighted pulse oximeters—devices measuring blood oxygen levels. Developed in the 1970s, these tools worked well for white skin. They hadn’t been tested on darker skin tones, causing dangerous inaccuracies during the global health crisis.

This wasn’t just a technology oversight. It represented a leadership failure. No one asked: “Who was this technology initially designed by and for?”

In 2025, we can’t afford to repeat past mistakes. Whether you lead in tech, healthcare, or other industries, history teaches us to challenge the status quo.

Leadership Takeaways from Historical Perspective

1. Challenge your assumptions. What long-held “truths” in your industry need reexamination? Innovation begins by questioning foundations.
2. Ask who’s missing. Who’s absent from the room, conversation, or data? Diverse perspectives create more innovative, inclusive solutions. Seek voices that challenge your viewpoint.
3. Examine historical baggage. History shapes the present in subtle ways. Systems and biases built over centuries influence today’s decisions. Ask yourself:

• What outdated models still influence our decisions?
• Are we carrying forward practices that no longer serve us?
• What lessons from past mistakes can prevent repetition?

Look Back to Move Forward

The leadership lessons from history provide guidance for making better decisions with clarity, confidence, and responsibility.

What historical lesson will you apply to your leadership this year?

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