Abraham Lincoln's Leadership

Learning from great leaders is one of the ways to make ourselves improve. Don’t ever think you can’t make it because Abraham Lincoln had the odds against him to be leader of the free world. He was the CEO of a corporation but never had a college education. He fought back a stock holder’s revolt. He marketed an old but unique product in new form. Lincoln rose above his circumstances, can you?

Share a Vision: Lincoln started out as a farmer but didn’t intend to stay there his whole life. He studied surveying and the law to get ahead.

Be a Great Communicator: He communicated his core beliefs to his audience through humor, speeches, and letters to newspaper editors.

Demand Excellence from Yourself: Lincoln spent a lot of time preparing for the Gettysburg Address even with the Civil War occurring.

Learn from Failure: Lincoln failed in business a couple times, defeated for Illinois State Assembly, had a nervous breakdown, defeated for Speaker of Illinois State Assembly, defeated for presidential elector, defeated for US Congress twice, defeated at Senate twice, and defeated for Vice President of the newly formed Republican Party. He wasn’t afraid to fail and he eventually became President because of his courage.

Be a Team Leader: Everyone who Lincoln appointed to his cabinet believed they should’ve been President instead of him. He won the Civil War with their support.

Believe in Yourself When No One Else Does by Having Courage of Your Convictions: When people asked Lincoln why he was confident about his decisions he said, “I desire to conduct the affairs of this administration that if at the end, when I come to lay down the reins of power, I have lost every other friend on earth, I shall at least have one friend left, and that friend shall be down inside me.”

Show Compassion: In Lincoln’s second Inaugural Address he was quoted saying, “With malice toward none; with charity for all.” He offered help to the South which he defeated. He helped heal the north and south divide.

No one could’ve predicted Lincoln would’ve accomplished so much so don’t sell yourself short. All you need is to believe in yourself. The opportunities are endless!

To read the whole article on Lincoln go to The Presidential Expert.