Lincoln's Principles I Would Adapt In My Own Leadership Style Analysis

I start this project on Lincoln’s leadership very reluctantly. I am a history buff and have always viewed his leadership through the eyes of jaded historians. They have portrayed him as a dictator, incompetent, and a buffoon at some points. After reading the Donald T. Phillips book Lincoln on Leadership, my mindset was totally changed. This book broke down four key areas that produced an effective leader in Lincoln. These areas are character, people, endeavor, and communication. I will be sharing a principal from each key area that I found important and then conclude with an overall thought.

As a leader, do you feel as though you could unite subordinates, units, organizations, or even a nation? Abraham Lincoln faced the task of reunifying a nation, even during a time of civil war. He was a visionary leader through the war as his actions advocated intellectual stimulation through change management leading to decisions that shaped innovative efforts within the United States Air Force (USAF) today. Additionally, Lincoln was an ethical leader, not for the actions that history books recognize with the freedom of slavery, but more so for the decision to face ethical challenges altering his behaviors through critical thinking. We will look at an example of how he fostered an innovative

Donald T. Phillips’ book, Lincoln on Leadership, explores the life and practices of Abraham Lincoln as the leader of the United States of America. Without question, Lincoln’s legacy lies as one of the greatest leaders in the history of the country. Lincoln’s style of leadership, which facilitated his accomplishment of one of the most complicated tasks in a divided country, have only recently become the foundation for developing concepts of leadership in both private and public organizations. Throughout Lincoln on Leadership, Phillips discusses over one hundred of Lincoln’s principles of leadership and practices, practices which still inspire and motivate persons in all aspects of society.

President Lincoln was trying to tie together the key principles of our founding fathers with freedom, equality, and democracy which are embodied

Abraham Lincoln demonstrates a good amount of qualities that made an admired and inspirational leader. Abraham lincoln was able to keep his goal in mind while maintaining his great personality. He was able to listen to different point of views and not regards anyone’s opinions and ideas because simply he was the president. As well as, he was able to demonstrate helpful and supportive leadership during the Civil War. By freeing the slaves, he was showing his compassion for humanity and had a great

My leadership style is problem solver; this leadership style offers me the opportunity to utilize the knowledge and experience of my followers. I believe that I am more of this leadership style because I tend to accept input from group members when making decisions and solving problems. I do this because I feel that everyone in the group have something tangible to contribute to the group, and sometimes they might have access to key information that can help in my decision making. I take the information and put them together to use in reaching a decision, because I know that I will have the final say as the leader of the group. I believe that the group is put together

Honesty and integrity were also important aspects of Lincoln’s leadership. He understood that honesty was the best policy. Leaders are supposed to do the right thing and being honest is part of that. A truthful leader will have greater respect from his subordinates and they will also have more trust in a leader they can believe. In order to be known as honest Lincoln knew his words, deeds, and actions would need to be beyond reproach so he even refused to have dealings with dishonest people. He knew he needed to lead by example and if he was known to associate with questionable people that it could damage what he was trying to accomplish. Lincoln knew that honesty and integrity were qualities that will help a leader hold an organization together. He had firsthand experience at this by trying to keep our country united.

Lincoln treated those he worked with well. Then again, he did get furious and baffled, so he figured out how to channel those feelings. He was known to take a seat and compose what he alluded to as an issue "letter" to the individual he was furious with. In the event that he did lose his temper, Lincoln would catch up with a kind motion or letter to tell the individual he was not holding resentment.

President Lincoln embarked a very challenging presidency from the very beginning, when he set out to lead a country facing a crisis so immense, that its very existence was threatened. In many instances, President Lincoln had to take matters into his own hands by making use of his executive powers, even when some may have questioned the Constitutionality of some his decisions at times. If one truly analyses President Lincoln’s “illegal or unconstitutional” actions, most of them were in fact the President doing what was necessary. Lincoln was a great leader because he was able to preserve the Union during the Civil War, begin the Emancipation Proclamation process leading to the end of slavery in the United States, all awhile preventing this

Lincoln was a visionary leader (transformational) as well as an astute politician (transactional). “Transactional leader, in contrast to a transformational leader, a leader who performs more routine but essential leadership and managerial tasks such as a politician’s offer of jobs for the votes of his constituents” (Weiss, 2011). It is vital to comprehend that Lincoln was a politician as well as a leader, and to be able to know how he infrequently used transactional leadership skills to attain desired results. Chesebrough, states that Lincoln put forth the following transactional argument: “ If I free the slaves, we will save the Union” (Chesebrough, 2004). With this quarrel Lincoln hoped to divert some of the censure that would be directed his way by people that were against liberation and troops that still held the position that they hadn’t gone to war to free the slaves.

Lincoln, even during the war would always do things the right way and would always tell the truth. When he first started to practice law one of his main reason for wanting to become a lawyer was because most of the time the lawyers weren’t always honest. While studying law, he advised his peers by saying “Resolve to be honest at all events; and if in your judgment you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer.”(Great American Citizen). The thing he meant by that was that no matter what, always be honest even if at times you can’t defend your point. If you can’t be honest, while being a lawyer then simply forget you are one and just be honest as a

Abraham Lincoln was a man of humble beginnings who, though self-taught, rose to greatness through the many leadership qualities that he possessed. Quality traits that Lincoln possessed were honesty, integrity and a great devotion towards the rights of the people. It was probably through his impoverished upbringing that he formed such a bond with common folks. Lincoln was able to show the country that an ordinary person, with strong character and integrity, was capable of inspiring others to greatness. His ability to communicate through dynamic speeches was inspirational to a country so badly in need of someone to return the country to the unity that it had once had. His commitment to the rights of individuals was a cornerstone of his

Abraham Lincoln’s tenure as president before his assassination can be viewed as one of the best tenures. For instance, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. This was the first step in equality for African Americans in America. Another example of his strong leadership and fight for equality was his support for the Thirteenth Amendment, which was the amendment that formally ended slavery. Lincoln possessed strong honesty. This was visible through his

Lincoln had many strategies when it came to his leadership, and from the book, “Lincoln on Leadership,” his ideas and techniques are showcased in detail. From the many strategies that Lincoln had employed, I had identified three techniques from three different chapters in Lincoln on Leadership for analysis. The first strategy that I will discuss is from chapter two; “Showing your compassionate and caring nature will aid you in forging successful relationships.” The second strategy is from chapter three, and it is as follows; “A good leader avoids issuing orders, preferring to request, imply, or make suggestions.” Lastly, the third and final strategy that I will discuss if from Chapter six; “Do the very best you know how – the very best you can – and keep doing so until the end.” I chose these specific strategies in accordance to their applicability to my leadership style, as I find myself identifying with these rather comfortably. I will begin to explain this through the first strategy regarding compassion and a caring nature.

James Lincoln had a vision, he understood how to give and get the most and the best out of people. Lincoln Electric’s success is a direct result of the investment of James Lincolns’ belief and vision that ultimately produced a well established highly productive organizational culture. We’ve now seen examples of what I deem as an exceptional organizational culture, but it is best written by Charles G. Herbruck, found in the Prologue of James F. Lincoln’s last book, he wrote “they were expressions of mutual respect for each person’s importance to the job to be done” (Sharplin 1989)