“Trying to plan for the future without a sense of the past is like trying to plant cut flowers.”
As a public speaker and an executive leadership and communication coach, it’s my job to help leaders understand that there’s so much to learn — about the world and about themselves.
Human nature remains constant, and since relationships are the basis of leadership, if you understand human nature, you’ll understand how to lead.
Each week in Timeless & Timely, you get stories from the past with a lens to understand and act on the issues and ideas of the present.
Stories ripe with lessons in communication, leadership, and integrity, leading to better relationships — relationships with employees, customers, and the people who can help your business grow.
Why should history matter to anyone interested in leadership?
Contextual Awareness
Studying history gives leaders a deeper understanding of the broader context and underlying forces that shape events. It helps them grasp the complexities and nuances behind current situations, enabling them to make more well-rounded assessments.
Informed Decision-Making
By examining how past leaders navigated challenges and crises, modern leaders can draw lessons and apply that knowledge to their own decision-making processes. Historical perspectives offer a wealth of wisdom to inform strategic thinking.
Avoiding Repetition of Mistakes
A thorough grasp of history allows leaders to identify patterns and pitfalls that previous leaders encountered. This awareness can help them avoid repeating the same mistakes and make more prudent choices.
Inspiring Vision
Leaders with a strong sense of history can leverage narratives and shared experiences from the past to inspire and unite people towards a common vision for the future. Historical references can foster a sense of purpose and continuity.
Legacy Building
Understanding history prompts leaders to consider the long-term implications of their actions and decisions. It encourages them to think about the legacy they will leave behind and how future generations will perceive their leadership.
Do you want to be aware, make informed decisions, avoid mistakes, inspire others, and be admired?
Free: Something for Everyone
Here’s what every subscriber gets:
✒️ A weekly essay with contextual historical quotes and deep thoughts on leadership, communication, and humanity, connected to the challenges you face today.
🕔 A fortnightly weekend newsletter called Off the Clock, focused on language and history. For the word nerds among us — because leaders are communicators.
💡 Occasional Timeless Reflections: quotes that may inspire some thoughts about leadership and life.
🎙Notifications of new episodes of the Timeless Leadership podcast.
✏️ The ability to comment on posts: let’s create a vibrant community!
All subscribers can customize their settings to determine which sections they subscribe to.
Premium Subscription: The Ampersand Guild
Historically, a guild is “an association of craftsmen or merchants formed for mutual aid and protection and for the furtherance of their professional interests.”
And I like to think we’re doing that here — helping you become a better communicator, a better leader, and a better human by focusing on values that have mattered throughout human history.
Ampersand Guild members get:
📝 Essays exclusive to the community of paying subscribers
🎙️ Additional conversations from the Timeless Leadership podcast
🖥️ Monthly Q&A sessions for leadership advice
🏛️ Access to ALL of our archived material
❤️ The satisfaction that you’re helping to grow the next generation of leaders!
All of this for just $50 a year! That’s less than $5 a month. Think about what you spend five dollars on each month. A visit and a half to Starbucks? Something from Five Below? Surely the wisdom of the ages is worth at least that to you.
Who is Scott Monty?
I’m glad you asked!
I’m a former Classics major who went on to get an M.B.A. and eventually became the first executive at Ford Motor Company to lead digital communications and social media globally. During that time, I was integrated across the entire company, working with leaders from around the world in various industries.
Along the way, I realized there are fundamental behaviors we share and that leaders are everywhere, ready with lessons for us — if we’re ready for them.
But this isn’t just stories from the past; it’s about applying what we already know to what’s going on in the world around us today.
Praise for the newsletter:
From actor and bibliophile Curtis Armstrong:
“A dark, rainy morning. The apartment is quiet. I’m wearing my soft trousers. I-ve got a cup of coffee and am starting my day with Heather Cox Richardson, Joyce Vance and Scott Monty! It doesn't get better than that!”
From Mat Zucker (“Putting It Out There”):
Praise for the podcast:
Named by Goodpods as a Top 50 Podcast in the Management category.
“Scott’s a skillful interviewer” — Melanie Kirkpatrick, author of Lady Editor
“You’re one of the best interviewers I’ve encountered.” — feedback from a guest
There’s so much to learn,
