Post #3: Leadership Demonstrations and Deficits

Abraham Lincoln personified moral purpose in applying his leadership skills toward achieving freedom and equity for all people. It was his humanistic empathy and pathos that charged his crusade for equal rights of all people. He successfully effectuated this mission to fully achieve the change from slavery to freedom for all. Lincoln applied his ethos of solid principles and oratorical persuasion that was salient to the majority of his audience in order to actualize abolition. He exemplifies the process of change by remaining loyal to beliefs based on logic and human compassion to resolve one of the most moral exigencies in our country’s history.

Surprisingly, Lincoln was able to consummate abolition while lacking in the ability to build relationships within his own administration. Fortunately, his morale and connection to the public superseded his administrative deficiencies. Lincoln’s governance was an anomaly in that his morale contradicted allegiance to his government. Although his ability to sustain political relationships was weak, he applied moral purpose and intellect to address and overcome his contradictory position. He did not gain power from his cause; rather, he gained power to change a cause. Lincoln’s process of change was partly by default in that he gained a position of power as a result of losing an election that provided exposure of his moral purpose. He first worked toward gaining power on the basis of morale, and then took advantage of that power to achieve change.

After he gained power, Lincoln embodied the ability to gain knowledge and share it to achieve change. He centered his emancipation campaign on empathy, equity, logic, and effective persuasion. His acquired position of power enabled him to share his ideas and rationale with everyone on a large scale. The general public’s reception of that rationale along with Lincoln’s rhetorical skills, lead to the formal unity of a divided nation. Although not everyone agreed with his moral purpose which lead to his unfortunate ultimate demise, he was able to achieve coherence among the people that all men are, and should be treated, equal.


Gini, A. (2009). Lincoln and Leadership. Illinois Library Association Reporter, 27, 18-19.
Rath, T. (2007). Strengths Finder 2.0. New York: Gallup Press.
Schneider, T. E. (2007). Lincoln and Leadership. Perspectives on Political Science, 36, 69-72.
Vickerey, B. R. (2000). Lessons in Leadership from Lincoln the Lawyer. South Dakota Law Review, 45, 334-344.

Post #2: Exploring the Leadership of Lincoln

Lincoln’s Qualities of Leadership

Abraham Lincoln was a multi-faceted and futuristic leader. He was not satisfied with the status quo and toiled toward bettering himself for the bettering of mankind despite the norms previous and current norms. He used his intellect to guide himself and others toward positive necessary change. He was strategic and restorative in working toward peace for others. He empathized with slaves and used persuasion and reason to work toward unifying the people of the country. He was perceived as radical which jeopardized his leadership credibility at the time, but nevertheless persisted toward the goal he believed was best for all. While leading, he exhibited careful analyzation and decision making coherent with a deliberative personality. He led by influence through persuasion based on rational thought.

Lincoln’s life was quite vigorous, however, several pivotal moments contributed to his leadership success. Becoming a lawyer was a less recognized critical turning point in his life because it both culminated and commenced his passion for the practical application of sound judgment for all leading to another momentous event in his life. Conjointly the significance of losing campaign for senator resulted in exposure that led to perhaps his last great achievement of being elected as president of the United States.

Lincoln capitalized on that failure by extending his existing ideology and expanding the number of his followers. His resiliency was inspiring to people and his verbal and nonverbal positivity during exigency was captivating and salient. Lincoln learned once again that humility, paired with perseverance in the right thing will resonate. He learned, and subsequently exemplified, the proverbial turning lemons into lemonade. Therefore, he learned that remaining steadfast and committed to achieving equality through empathy in leading a nation toward unity.

Gini, A. (2009). Lincoln and Leadership. Illinois Library Association Reporter, 27, 18-19.

Rath, T. (2007). Strengths Finder 2.0. New York: Gallup Press.

Schneider, T. E. (2007). Lincoln and Leadership. Perspectives on Political Science, 36, 69-72.

Vickerey, B. R. (2000). Lessons in Leadership from Lincoln the Lawyer. South Dakota Law Review, 45, 334-344.

Post # 1: Abraham "Leader" Lincoln

Overview & Leadership Qualities of Abraham Lincoln

Our nation’s sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln was a dynamic and ambitious leader, professionally and personally. Lincoln was a Kentucky boy born February 12, 1809 who served as the president of the United States from 1861 to 1865. He had a lifelong passion for learning and a keen sense of practical equity. The republican studied to become a lawyer that lost an election to become senator. That failure ultimately led to his presidential nomination as a result of senatorial campaign. In 1864, Lincoln was reelected as president, but was unable to fully serve his second term because he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre in connection to opposition of abolition facilitated by Lincoln.

Lincoln is best known for presidency, issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, his leadership during the Civil War, and his untimely assassignation. As a Southerner, Lincoln was not swayed by majority opinion and practice. He strived to gain knowledge and apply it toward acquiring and maintaining freedom and liberty for all. Lincoln truly was a genius that used his intelligence to improve the greater good for all mankind. Although it can be argued that he was not the best administrator, Lincoln was certainly was an effective leader that cultivated and sustained an enormous following. Lincoln exhibited dedication, sound judgment and appeal to the public while diligently working toward resolution. He was a master of rhetoric and a superfluous speaker that was able to accommodate any exigency, regardless of audience disparity, while instilling hope in his listeners.

Moreover, Lincoln was a passionate worker who operated on the basis on knowledge, fairness, and reason in an effective way to achieve success. He carefully, yet decisively, considered all factors while leading to reach the best solution. Lincoln bravely paired taking huge risks with intelligence, consideration, strategy, and support while leading. He bravely confronted and defeated opposition and continually persevered in pursuit of a peaceful, free, and successful union. Lincoln is an extraordinary leader because he effectively fought for what he believed in and used consideration, verbal appeal, and sound reasoning to persuade and make positive change. He was a true leader by fearlessly bringing about change for a longstanding issue he truly believed changing in amidst extreme opposition.

Gini, A. (2009). Lincoln and Leadership. Illinois Library Association Reporter, 27, 18-19.

Schneider, T. E. (2007). Lincoln and Leadership. Perspectives on Political Science, 36, 69-72.

Vickrey, B. R. (2000). Lessons in Leadership from Lincoln the Lawyer. South Dakota Law

Review, 45, 334-344.