His Struggles
Honest Abe
His Early Life
Born on February 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin at Sinking
Spring farm, south of Hodgenville, Kentucky.
Spent his formative years, from the age of seven to twenty-one,
on the family farm in southern Indiana.
In 1830 twenty-one-year-old Lincoln set out on his own. He
worked as a boatman, store clerk, surveyor, militia soldier, and
became a lawyer in Illinois.
In 1842, Lincoln married Mary Todd.
His Struggles
1816 Abraham Lincoln's family was forced out of their home and
he needed to work to support his family.
1831 A business venture failed.
1832 He ran for the State Legislature,He lost. In the same year,
he also lost his job. He decided he wanted to go to law school but
couldn't get in.
1836 This was the year he had a total nervous breakdown and for
6 months was bedridden.
1843 He ran for Congress, He lost.1854 He ran for the Senate of
the United states. He lost.
His Key Achievements
American Civil War (1861-1865)Led by Jefferson Davis, the
Confederate States of America- South Carolina, Florida,
Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas considered
themselves as independent and sovereign
Lincoln admonished all attempt to come to a compromise and
settlement and stood by his stand for free-soil and a united
nation, leading to war between the Union and the confederacy
Lincoln faced defiance and vilification from generals, his
Cabinet, his party, and a majority of the American people.
A string of victories at Charleston harbour, the Battle of
Gettsyburg and at the Antietam gave Lincoln some sort of
relief.
Emancipation ProclamationLincolns idea for a slave-free nation
was not just undermined by the South but by the Constitution as
well, which committed the issue to individual states.To put an end
to slavery, Lincoln offered the states compensated emancipation in
return for their prohibition of slavery.The Emancipation
Proclamation was official issued on September 22, 1862 and came
into practice since January 1, 1863. It declared the slaves in the
10 states not present in the Union as free.Abolition of slavery
became a military objective, The more they advanced towards South,
the more slaves were being free and liberated.In 1863, Emancipation
of slaves had become a national war effort and a democratic
government which was of the people, by the people and for the
people had evolved
TriviaHe was the first US President to be assassinated.He is the
only president to have a patent to his name. The patent was for a
device which assisted in freeing the ships that would get aground
in shallow waters.He is responsible for the institution of
Thanksgiving Day in United States of America. He declared the final
Thursday in the month of November as Thanksgiving Day. A man with
outstanding capability, he earned quite a few nicknames in his
life, some of which are Honest Abe, The Rail Splitter, The Great
Emancipator, and Father Abraham.Interestingly, unlike other
presidents, he would keep all his important papers, mail, bankbook
and so on in his stovepipe hat. Probably, this is the reason why it
was called his desk and memorandum book and sometimes his filing
cabinet.
Characteristic Traits
Extrovert/IntrovertNothing about Lincoln suggests he was
introverted or if he was - he disguised it well.
Hands-On Leader
Abraham Lincoln often visited the places where work was being
done that related to the issues he was wrestling with, asking
numerous questions and gaining insights from those who had the most
knowledge about a situation.His heart and mind were always open to
new people.
Independent Lincoln took advice, but in the end, he always
trusted his own counsel most.He could gracefully accept compliments
and votes of confidence without getting an ego about him.
WILLING TO STAND ALONEIt was typical to find him at odds with
those that were very close to him.He had a deep sense of
responsibility to address the deeply divisive issue the nation was
facing; slavery and the Civil War.
Kind & CompassionateLincoln was endlessly compassionate.
When a little girl wrote him that her father had been killed in the
war, he took the time to write back to her and let her know he had
also lost a parent when he was young, and how unfair it was that a
child should have to go through that.
Lincoln empathized with people easily. This allowed him to be
compassionate, but it also allowed him to better understand
people.
Altruistic
Behavioural Analysis
Kearns Goodwin - SHRMs 2008 Annual Conference
Leader Behavioural Study-Ohio State (1940)
Leader Behavioural Study-University Of Michigan
People Oriented SkillsHe had three qualities of the highest
value. The first was sympathygenuine appreciative sympathy for all
his fellow men.
Secretary Stanton used to get out of patience with Lincoln
because he was all the time pardoning men who ought to be shot.
Above all, that quality enabled him to understand men, to
appreciate how they felt, and why they acted as they did, and how
theycould be set right when they were wrong.
LINCOLN & HIS RAPPORT WITH HIS CABINETPresident Abraham
Lincoln appointed the best and brightest to his Cabinet,
individuals who were also some of his greatest political rivals. He
demonstrated hisleadershipby pulling this group together into a
unique team that represented the greatest minds of his time.
He created a climate where Cabinet members were free to disagree
without fear of retaliation. At the same time, he knew when to stop
the discussion and after listening to the various opinions, make a
final decision.
Subordination of himself to his cause: During all these years he
was not thinking about making Abraham Lincoln famous; he was
thinking about putting an end to slavery and preserving the
Union.
Ready Willingness to Share Credit for Success: In response to
concerns expressed by friends about the actions of some of his
Cabinet members, Lincoln stated that the "path to success and
ambition is broad enough for two" . When there was success, Lincoln
shared the credit with all of those involved.
Ready Willingness to Share Blame for Failure: When mistakes were
made by members of his Cabinet, Lincoln stood up for them . When
contracts related to the war effort raised serious questions about
a member of his administration, Lincoln spoke up and indicated that
he and his entire Cabinet were to blame.
Clear Vision and GoalsStrength to Adhere to Fundamental Goals:
One of Lincolns greatest leadership traits was his sense of
integrity and his strong belief in his principles. His core
principles would not change from day to day depending upon the
circumstances around him or his perceived popularity at the time.
Such leadership inspires the loyalty, dedication and confidence of
those around you.
Ability to Communicate Goals and Vision: Lincoln had a
remarkable ability to communicate his goals to his countrymen. He
made concepts simple and communicated with an understanding of the
concerns of the citizens.
Lincolns will when tested, he demonstrated tremendous will to
move forward. He proved his humility when one of the richest
persons ridiculed Lincolns father as a cobbler. Lincoln did not get
agitated but remained cool, calm and composed. He added that his
father was a very good cobbler and did excellent job in his
profession. This humble response from Lincoln stunned and stumbled
the aristocratic member of the senate.
Lincoln A Level 5 Leader
That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom,
and that government of the people, by the people, for the people,
shall not perish from the earth. Lincoln
Collins gave a formula for Level 5 Leaders as follows: Humility
+ Will = Level 5 Leader
Lincoln A transformational leaderLincoln had tremendous
motivation; unconventional thinking and the ability to manage
conflicts effectively made him as a transformational leader.
Abraham Lincoln falls into the category of heroes (charismatic). It
was during the Civil War, he demonstrated his courage, edge and
ability to risk his life to defeat the South thus proving as a
charismatic leader. He was more like a hero during the war where he
briskly worked with Generals and monitored their progress and took
several strategic decisions.
Motivation, creativity and conflict are the three critical
elements of transformational leadership
And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's
the life in your years. -Abraham Lincoln
