Guidance on Management and Leadership for Small Business Owners from Abraham Lincoln
In the annals of history, Abraham Lincoln stands out as one of the greatest leaders the United States has ever known. His leadership style, marked by decisiveness, humility, inclusivity, and ethical strength, continues to inspire modern leaders across various contexts.
According to Rick Lepsinger, president of the New York City-based leadership consulting firm OnPoint, strong leaders, much like Lincoln, understand the importance of timely and confident decision-making. Lincoln, in critical moments of history, demonstrated this quality by gathering advice but not delaying in making the choices he believed were right, thus preventing instability [1].
Lincoln was also a model of lifelong learning. He valued continual self-education, famously stating that knowledge comes from books, and those who help him learn are his best friends. This habit of constant learning helped him grow as a leader and set an example for others to keep expanding their understanding throughout life [1].
Another key aspect of Lincoln's leadership was his approach to inviting rather than forcing. Effective leadership, as Lincoln demonstrated, involves bringing people along on a journey through invitation and respect, rather than coercion. His style emphasised collaboration and inclusion over domination, which engages followers more deeply [4].
Lincoln's composure and integrity in the face of conflict is another lesson modern leaders can learn from. He exhibited extraordinary calm during disputes, preferring to expose flaws in opponents' arguments logically rather than confrontationally. This composure enhanced his credibility and fostered respectful discourse [2].
Lepsinger recommends that leaders assess the risk of each option as well as the benefits to increase confidence that they've selected the best balance of risk and reward [8]. He also suggests that leaders look outside their industry for ideas and innovation [5]. Furthermore, Lepsinger advises leaders to identify musts and wants, and use that as a guide to compare options [7].
Lincoln, in his presidency, was known for his personal connections. He was accessible, telling jokes, storytelling, which helped him build strong personal relationships and high levels of trust [6]. He also welcomed strong opinions as it provoked thoughtful debate and inner reflection [9].
The movie Lincoln provides insight into Lincoln's strong leadership skills, showing how he filled his cabinet with rivals, who were the best and brightest minds in the country [3]. This approach, while unconventional, underscores Lincoln's ability to determine the best solution and make a decision without wavering.
These lessons reflect Lincoln's combination of decisiveness, humility in learning, inclusive leadership, and ethical strength that continue to inspire modern leaders across contexts [1][2][4]. For more insights on leadership, read our previous article, "How to Earn Your Employees' Respect" [10].
[1] 16th U.S. President's leadership appeal [2] Lincoln's calm in the face of conflict [3] Lincoln's cabinet of rivals [4] Lincoln's inclusive leadership style [5] Leaders as continuous learners [6] Lincoln's personal connections [7] Clarifying decision criteria [8] Assessing risk and benefits [9] Welcoming strong opinions [10] Related: How to Earn Your Employees' Respect
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