Lincoln Leadership President Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln Leadership

President Abraham Lincoln is frequently discussed, as his role in U.S. history was monumental and his ability as a leader was challenged almost daily during his term in office. This brief work will analyses Lincoln's leadership style answering three basic thoughts with regard to his style and function as a leader. First I will discuss which of Lincoln's principles are worthy of adoption in my leadership style and why they would benefit me and my organization. Second I will offer examples of how Lincoln used honesty, character and integrity to achieve goals and finally I will discuss some of the lessons Lincoln taught and how I have observed them in today's leaders and especially a few I have encountered myself.

Which of Lincoln's principles are worthy of adoption in my leadership style and why they would benefit me and my organization? One of the most fundamental lessons of Lincoln's leadership style is his use of humor to develop a rapport with those he met and even to build a following in his election. In the Lincoln Douglas Debates Douglas's ardent demands for democracy were met by Lincoln's abolitionist stand that argued that the nation would not live long divided, between free and slave, and that no true democracy could develop in this state. Lincoln makes clear that his stand agrees with that of his party platform, he is in opposition to slavery as an institution, not as a moral obligation to equate white and black. He first attacks what he sees as Douglas' attempt to make the Kansas-Nebraska act into something of a statement of indifference;

This declared indifference, but, as I must think, covert real zeal for the spread of slavery, I cannot but hate. I hate it because of the monstrous injustice of slavery itself. I hate it because it deprives our republican example of its just influence in the world-enables the enemies of free institutions, with plausibility, to taunt us as hypocrites-causes the real friends of freedom to doubt our sincerity, and especially because it forces so many really good men amongst ourselves into an open war with the very fundamental principles of civil liberty-criticizing the Declaration of Independence, and insisting that there is no right principle of action but self-interest... (Lincoln Douglas Debates #1)

Lincoln then goes on to reiterate his stand on slavery, which he declares to be rather simple, a mere question of economic devastation that should not be instituted anew, as a mark of supposed indifference.

Now, gentlemen, I don't want to read at any greater length, but this is the true complexion of all I have ever said in regard to the institution of slavery and the black race. This is the whole of it, and anything that argues me into his idea of perfect social and political equality with the negro, is but a specious and fantastic arrangement of words, by which a man can prove a horse-chestnut to be a chestnut horse. [Laughter.] (Lincoln Douglas Debates #1)

Lincoln's utilization of humor as a fanciful and eloquent tactic in debating is evident throughout his debates with Douglas, as is his stand on abolition, a pure expression of logical economic reformation, that had been long in the making but proven very difficult in the process. "Lincoln's humor was a major component of his ability to persuade people." (Phillips 157) Humor is an essential aspect of leadership as it allows individuals to see that you are human and fallible and it keeps morale high. If there is anything that I wish to incorporate in my own leadership style and in the culture of my organization it is humor.

Many argue that the ability of Lincoln to harness the power of the transportation infrastructure of the U.S. (and especially in the South) was essential to eventual victory on the part of the Union forces. Most essential to this statement is the frequently cited ability of the Union to harness the power of the existing Rail system to help in the war cause. The realization of this power through the venue of the war, cemented government control over the resources needed to demonstrate leadership of the transportation systems in the U.S. Prior to this time the rail system was largely controlled by private interests, many of whom were experts but many who were not as efficient as some would like them to be in the railroad game. Lincoln showed intense personal and professional interest in the development of infrastructural control by the government, or at the very least a collective of government representatives. There is a clear sense, from his early writings that this interest was effectively demonstrated through the avenue of the war.

Phillips 10) the value of this leadership characteristic is also foundational, as Lincoln was able to harness technology to lead, and also recognize the value of delegating appropriately, even when it meant making partners of private citizens.

Some examples of how Lincoln used honesty, character and integrity to achieve goals are detailed in his writings as well, as in others writings about him. Lincoln's manner was direct and representative, and at that same time he vehemently appealed to the people, as one who represented their interest and was even able to keep them laughing. The party's desires culminated not only in a civil war, which most would call revolutionary it eventually resolved a great deal of the national debate on socio-ethnic issues, which many feel had been very long ignored. Lincoln's ability to bring to the people the real questions they were concerned with is an example of his honesty, slavery was an inconvenient truth and Lincoln was honest about it to a point of potentially being alienated and yet he was not.

Though the Republicans had campaigned for president prior to the campaign for Lincoln, and the popularity of the candidate in 1856, Fremont had nearly won the day, taking most of the free states, it would take the colloquialisms of Lincoln accompanied by the matter of fact way he demonstrated the Republican Platform to for the party to be successful in their bid for presidential representation. (Wright) Another way in which Lincoln used honesty, character and integrity was by choosing people who he felt had the same qualities and endorsing them.

To SECRETARY SIMON CAMERON 2 June 5, 1861 EXECUTIVE MANSION June 5. 1861 Hon. Sec. Of War MY DEAR SIR Herewith I send a draft for an order giving Gen. McClelland discretion to receive a particular company. There is no cheat about it. Mr. Sturges, who brings this to you is a man of large means, and of the highest character. Inclosed also is Gen. Scott's note, substantially assenting to the order. Yours truly a. LINCOLN the company to which Lincoln referred was undoubtedly the Sturges Rifles, raised and equipped by Solomon Sturges, of Chicago. The company was sent to West Virginia, where it served as McClellan's bodyguard.