Abraham Lincoln on Leadership

© 2000 by Jon Sutz. All rights reserved.

Written for the Galt Ocean Mile INSIDER Magazine

When one thinks of Abraham Lincoln, several images come to mind: a tall, spindly, simple man,
who possessed certain charms and insights. Most of us associate Lincoln with integrity; the phrase
“Honest Abe” has carried on for generations, and hopefully will continue to do so.
But Abraham Lincoln was more than just an inspiring man; practically single-handedly, he held
together the fragile threads that composed the American mosaic, at a time when many believed that
the great American Experiment was doomed to bloody failure.
What allowed Lincoln to persevere? What motivated him to keep on target, to never give in on
his principles, especially during the trying times when all that was left to him was his honor? And
most of all, what enabled him to provide inspiration to others at such crucial moments – to provide
the leadership to do what a resounding chorus said couldn’t be done?
Lincoln considered leadership, especially in trying times, to be a paramount virtue. Considering
the many unfortunate recent happenings in politics, it is instructive to look inside Lincoln’s mind… to
learn what made him tick, when all about him was crumbling, and how he learned to turn adversity
into victories that would change the world. Here, then, are Lincoln’s tips for being an effective
leader.
First, make honesty and integrity as the immutable foundation of your leadership style.
Lincoln’s reputation for total honesty gave him a significant advantage in his dealings with other
people. Despite profound disagreements over perennial issues, the one charge his opponents could
never level at him was that he was dishonest, or a sell-out to the expediency of the moment. Neither
journalists nor historians have yet been able to reveal a single instance in which Lincoln knowingly
told a lie, or deliberately deceived anyone. By remaining so brutally honest throughout his life, he
served two important purposes: he alienated those who sought to corrupt him, and like a magnet, he
attracted people to him who possessed similar virtues. In doing so, he amassed not only a sterling
reputation, but he never had to worry about what he might have said, that could come back to bite him.
Second, encourage - and carefully listen to – constructive criticism. Despite a lack of public
polls in Lincoln’s time, he saw the value of making sure he knew what ordinary citizens were feeling,
and how they perceived the events of the day. In fact, Lincoln used to open the doors to the White
House nearly every day for what he called “public opinion baths,” at which dozens of people would
drop by and express their thoughts & opinions. He also often asked people to send him ideas and
suggestions. Many people did, and were surprised to find that he responded to a large number of
them, personally, in long-hand. While he was not driven by public opinion, he knew he had to have an
accurate gauge on what the public was feeling at given moments, so he could determine how best to
present his views.
Third, communicate concisely and clearly. There was no television or radio in Lincoln’s time, so
he was forced to communicate one-to-one with the American people. While his early legal briefs
revealed a penchant for elaborate explanations, he quickly taught himself that to be effective, he
needed to write and speak in ways that the layman could readily understand – and relate to. He also
learned the art of appropriately-used analogies; in one instance, he portrayed a recommended
compromise on principle as “sugar-coating the pill.”
Fourth, learn to delegate authority… but never concede it. Many people underestimated
Linconl because they perceived him as slow-witted, and unable to address the minute details of issues
he addressed. Lincoln, however, was a shrewd delegator; he assigned authority to those he felt were
most capable of executing orders per his wishes, and likewise, who were better suited to address the
subtle details of specific issues. He knew that the best application of his mind and energy was on the
vital issues of the day. When a subordinate erred, he was patient in correcting them, and he always
accepted ultimate responsibility for what anyone in his administration had done.
Fifth, use humor as a secret weapon. Considering the crushing burdens Lincoln faced, many
would think that he was only the stern-looking thinker depicted in his portraits. But beneath the
surface of this great thinker was a man who realized the value of humor – who would often diffuse a
seemingly futile argument with a little anecdote, or a sprinkle of humor, sometimes even at his own
expense. He realized that judiciously-applied humor induced men to let their guard down, and refocus
on the issues at hand, with a new energy.