One of the most valuable teachers I’ve ever had isn’t a person—it’s history. Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to travel through parts of Europe, visiting cities, landmarks, and memorials that carry centuries of lessons. Walking through Westminster Abbey in London or standing at the Normandy American Cemetery in France feels different than reading about them in a book. When you see these places firsthand, history becomes real, and the lessons they carry hit harder.

What I’ve realized is that travel isn’t just about sightseeing. It’s about learning how leaders made decisions—good and bad—that shaped the course of events. Those lessons, if we pay attention, can guide how we lead in our own lives, whether in work, community, or personal choices.

Seeing Leadership in Action

In London, I visited Westminster Abbey, a place that has witnessed coronations, funerals, and turning points in British history. Standing there, I thought about the weight of leadership. For centuries, leaders were crowned in that very spot, making decisions that would ripple across the world. It reminded me that leadership isn’t just about authority—it’s about responsibility.

When I think about my own life, leadership often comes down to smaller, everyday moments: leading a team project, organizing a fundraiser, or even helping a family member through a tough situation. The principle is the same. Leadership means being aware that your choices impact others, sometimes in ways you don’t see immediately.

The Cost of Poor Decisions

One of the most sobering stops on my travels was Dachau, the former concentration camp in Germany. Walking through those grounds was heavy. It’s impossible not to think about the consequences of decisions made by those in power—and the suffering that followed.

That experience drove home a lesson about accountability. Decisions, especially from those in leadership, have real human costs. Even in everyday life, the choices we make affect people around us. It reminded me to think carefully before acting, to pause and weigh outcomes, and to remember that shortcuts or reckless moves can have unintended consequences.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

In Normandy, I visited Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. The rows of white crosses stretching across the green fields are humbling. Reading about D-Day in school is one thing; standing where it happened is another.

The lesson I took from that place is resilience. The soldiers who landed there knew the risks, yet they pushed forward with courage and determination. In leadership and decision-making, resilience is essential. We’re all going to face setbacks—failed projects, personal challenges, financial stress—but how we respond defines us. Do we give up, or do we regroup and keep moving forward? Normandy reminded me that resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship; it’s about enduring it for a greater purpose.

The Importance of Perspective

Traveling to Salzburg and Munich gave me a different kind of lesson. There, history blends with culture—palaces, museums, and old town squares. One day my friend and I rented a car and drove from Munich to Salzburg, winding along the German Alps with breathtaking mountain views that made the journey itself unforgettable. Visiting the BMW Museum and walking through the Imperial War Museum in London showed me how innovation and conflict both shape societies.

These experiences made me think about perspective. Leaders who succeed often do so because they’re able to see beyond the immediate. They connect the dots between history, culture, and current events to make smarter decisions. For me, this means trying to broaden my perspective—reading widely, learning from different fields, and seeking out viewpoints that aren’t my own. Travel does that naturally, but it’s something we can practice even at home.

Lessons for Everyday Life

So how does all this tie back to daily life? Most of us aren’t heads of state or military generals, but we all lead in some capacity. Whether it’s managing our finances, guiding a small team, or just being a reliable friend or family member, the same principles apply.

• Responsibility: Leadership means knowing your actions affect others.
  
• Accountability: Poor decisions have costs, so think before acting.
  
• Resilience: Setbacks are part of the journey; persistence makes the difference.
  
• Perspective: Broaden your view to make better choices.
  

These are lessons history offers us again and again, if we’re willing to listen.

Travel taught me that history isn’t just about dates and names—it’s a guidebook for leadership and decision-making. Seeing these places firsthand connected the dots between past and present in a way no textbook ever could.

The more I reflect on those experiences, the more I realize that leadership starts with awareness—awareness of history, of context, of people. Whether we’re making choices in our careers, finances, or personal lives, the lessons are there if we take the time to notice them.

In the end, history is a classroom that never closes. And every trip, every site, every story we encounter is another lesson in how to live, lead, and decide with more wisdom.