Washington not only fit the bill physically, he was also almost perfect psychologically, so comfortable with his superiority that he felt no need to explain himself. {As a young man during the French and Indian war he had been more outspoken, but he learned from experience to allow his sheer presence to speak for itself.} While less confident men blathered on, he remained silent, thereby making himself a vessel into which admirers for their fondest convictions, becoming a kind of receptacle for diverse aspirations that magically came together in one man.
George Washington possessed the physical attributes and psychological strengths necessary for leadership during the American Revolution. He exuded a natural superiority and confidence that eliminated the need for self-justification. His earlier experiences as a younger officer taught him to rely on his commanding presence rather than words, allowing him to embody the hopes and aspirations of those around him.
Over time, Washington evolved from a more outspoken figure in his youth to a silent leader whose mere existence inspired loyalty and admiration. This transformation enabled him to become a unifying figure, representing diverse ideals and ambitions, effectively rallying people to support the cause of American independence.
