Lincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times
by Donald T. Phillips
A Book Review by Dr. Perry J. Martini
Donald T. Phillips did a terrific job with this book and provided valuable insight into the excellent executive leadership of President Lincoln. Virtually every American learns about Abraham Lincoln throughout his/her childhood, but specific situations and conversations are rarely provided as examples. Fortunately, Phillips provides these examples and proves that Lincoln was definitely one of the best presidents in United States history. What is unique about this book is the focus that the author takes on specific leadership principles that Lincoln role models, which is rarely written about in the countless number of books about him.
As a college professor, I have used this book in a number of business leadership courses and have my students closely examine the diverse leadership abilities of President Lincoln and how they can be applied to today’s complex world. The life of Abe Lincoln, especially his presidency, demonstrated that he possessed all of the great leadership qualities. Some of his inherent abilities were natural; others conspicuously developed over the course of his life. Qualities such as honesty and integrity, empathy for the common man, and devotion to the rights of individuals were products of his early childhood. During his adult life, Lincoln’s chosen profession as a lawyer prepared him for his future executive leadership position. He learned to express himself and demonstrate to others his beliefs and thoughts. The author used numerous letters and speeches quoted throughout his book to highlight the fact that this man was not only a great communicator but more importantly inspired others by his spoken word and ability to clarify his belief system and leadership philosophy in a motivating and powerful way.
After reading this book, a person can easily understand the traits and qualities necessary for quality leadership and can therefore implement them into everyday situations in the real world. In addition to this possibility, people may also be able to evaluate the prospective leadership qualities of a superior authority and determine the legitimacy of their direction.
The chapter listing in Lincoln on Leadership looks like an outline for a leadership course and the reader will note that at the end of each chapter the author includes a framed box of “Lincoln Principles” that energize the reader for reflective and introspective thought that this unique book generates. The book is littered with many great (and some heretofore unknown) quotations taken from Roy Basler’s magnificently well-documented Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. These carefully chosen quotes highlight the Lincoln leadership philosophy and are most credible because they are easily verified since they were written in Lincoln’s own handwriting.
One of my favorite sections was the chapter regarding President Lincoln’s integrity on having the courage to never act in vengeance or spite. Many people in charge of companies, organizations, or any other type of group are often vindictive or downright nasty. Consequently, the followers in these groups do not respond positively and commonly perform at a lower level. Lincoln understood this reality completely and made sure to treat virtually all people sincerely and respectfully. Moreover, Lincoln also comprehended that partaking in spiteful encounters with people only hindered achievement of positive goals. As Phillips stated at the outset of the chapter, “Lincoln understood that to actively engage in slander and malicious dealings would simply eat up far too much of his time, which he used in securing positive end results than negative ones.” Similar insights are present throughout this chapter, and readers should definitely take this useful information and apply it to their professional as well as their personal lives.
Too many authority figures in the world today believe that they are all-knowing and more intelligent than everyone else, no matter what the particular issue proves to be. President Lincoln, however, recognized that many of his cabinet members and employees were very intelligent people who often knew more about particular issues than he did. In fact, Phillips described several situations in which Lincoln trusted in some of his employees so much so that he signed various documents without ever reading them.
Ultimately, Lincoln on Leadership was a very educational and entertaining read. Phillips’ specific details and examples proved Abraham Lincoln’s exceptional leadership qualities. This book is not an historical book but rather a true book about leadership. I highly recommend you add this book to your professional library.
