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1-Page Summary of Lincoln On Leadership

Overview

In the American Civil War, many state regiments passed through Washington D.C. on their way to fight in battle. President Abraham Lincoln made sure that he was always there to inspect them personally and give them a vision of what they were fighting for. This is an example of his hands-on approach as president, where he maintained close involvement with every division from his cabinet members to the ordinary soldiers in the Union Army.

Lincoln actively sought out his colleagues by holding impromptu meetings with them. In fact, he spent about 75% of his time doing that.

Lincoln would often visit the battlefields and talk to his soldiers. He wanted them to feel like he was on their side, and that they could trust him. This is similar to modern management techniques called Managing by Wandering Around (MBWA). MBWA teaches managers to spend as much time with their employees as possible from all levels and departments. They should use this time not only for gathering information but also instill in them values of the organization.

Management by walking around (MBWA) suggests that managers should get out of the office and talk to people on the front line. Abraham Lincoln was a great example for this. He often left his presidential surroundings to meet with colleagues and supporters, as well as soldiers who were wounded in battle.

Today’s leaders should learn from Abraham Lincoln and engage with their employees.

Big Idea #1: Great leaders like Lincoln preach, persuade and reinforce rather than coerce.

There has always been a debate about whether leaders should use the carrot or the stick to motivate their staff. Abraham Lincoln proved that it’s better to use the carrot. He was able to rally people around him through his ability to persuade, preach and encourage them. An example of how he did this is found in one speech where he attacked pro-slavery politicians. At the time, slavery was an issue that divided America and many wanted it kept as it was. However, through his words, Lincoln brought people around to his abolitionist outlook by appealing to shared values such as their faith in America’s founding principles which most Americans had at the time. This helped him win not only public support but also eventually even get elected president with this speech alone.

Lincoln was able to persuade the American people that his point of view was correct. He did this during a time when America was divided over slavery and civil war. Lincoln didn’t use coercion or discipline, but rather persuasion in order to get what he wanted from the public and his administration. For example, Lincoln empowered members of his administration by giving them orders that sounded like suggestions so they felt like partners instead of inferiors. Instead of feeling inferior, they were given confidence which motivated them to keep working hard for him.

Lincoln was a great leader. He used to preach, persuade and reinforce rather than coerce his people.

Big Idea #2: By mastering speaking both in public and in private, and knowing when to be silent, Lincoln became an expert communicator.

Great leaders are very good at communicating their ideas. It’s important to be able to convey your message clearly so that people will understand and follow you. Abraham Lincoln was a great leader, and he knew the importance of communication. He also knew how to communicate with large groups, individuals, and when it was appropriate for him not to say anything at all.

Lincoln was an amazing public speaker and many of his speeches have become legendary moments in American history. He prepared extensively for these speeches by writing them out completely beforehand, editing them continuously right up until the moment he delivered the speech, and making sure they were very high quality.