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In Lincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times, Donald Phillips highlighted the significant aspects of President Lincoln’s leadership style that clearly displayed his ability to influence others and the outcome of important events. The author is a well-known writer, speaker and leadership consultant, who has received numerous accolades for his series of books on leadership (“Donald T. Phillips,” n.d.). Before writing this book, he assumed there were numerous publications about President Lincoln’s leadership experiences. He contacted a local library, the Abraham Lincoln Bookstore in Chicago, and the Lewis A. Warren Lincoln Library in Indiana, and realized after receiving only three articles that he would have to personally research the topic. The purpose of this book is to provide distinct examples of leadership from a well-known leader that can be used as a guideline to improve the skills of leaders in any industry.
The book is organized into four parts, e.g. People, Character, Endeavor and Communication. Part one highlighted President Lincoln’s ability to gain the trust of his subordinates, to develop interpersonal relationships, and to persuade people to take action. The second part focused on his character with emphasis on being honest, not seeking revenge, and handling criticism and paradox. Part three highlighted his ability to be decisive, to accomplish goals, to select only best qualified leaders, and to promote innovation. Finally, the fourth part centered on his public speaking ability and his ability to influence others and be a visionary. The organization of the book was a strength because each part provided an in-depth look in to President Lincoln’s leadership principles with each chapter ending with key take aways. His principles were clearly recognized throughout the book in different passages such as:
Lincoln was a natural wanderer. As a lawyer in Springfield, Illinois, he spent a great deal of time away from home, not only riding the circuit, but also seeking facts and information pertinent to any case he may have been working on at the time. He was the kind of lawyer who would go out and discover firsthand what was going on. This was one of the major elements that made him so successful at his profession. (p. 15)
While kindness was the very foundation of his personality, Lincoln also understood if people were going to come to him with ideas, suggestions, and better ways of making things work, he had to provide the climate to allow it. He actively encouraged innovative thinking and the participation of subordinates. (p. 58)
Lincoln made himself aware of any and all new technological advances so they could be implemented first by the Union, well before the Confederacy had time to act. He was quick and decisive in employing these new advances and made every attempt to get new weapons into soldier’s hands immediately, often overcoming government red tape and bureaucracy that might have delayed their use in combat. (p. 141)
A shortcoming of the book was presenting President Lincoln as the perfect leader without highlighting specific situations where he failed to influence a person or event.
The book is an excellent resource for students, educators, and those serving in leadership positions because the leadership examples are easily relatable to today’s workplace environment.
Students can benefit from the book because of the knowledge gained before entering the workplace in a full-time capacity. Educators and those in other leadership positions can use the book as a professional development tool to hone their skills and to mentor students or junior leaders. Overall, the book is ideal for training and developing current and future leaders to assume increasing levels of responsibility over the course of their careers.
References
Donald T. Phillips. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.donaldtphillipsauthor.com...
Phillips, D.T. (1992). Lincoln on leadership: Executive strategies for tough times. New York, NY: Grand Central Publishing
The book is organized into four parts, e.g. People, Character, Endeavor and Communication. Part one highlighted President Lincoln’s ability to gain the trust of his subordinates, to develop interpersonal relationships, and to persuade people to take action. The second part focused on his character with emphasis on being honest, not seeking revenge, and handling criticism and paradox. Part three highlighted his ability to be decisive, to accomplish goals, to select only best qualified leaders, and to promote innovation. Finally, the fourth part centered on his public speaking ability and his ability to influence others and be a visionary. The organization of the book was a strength because each part provided an in-depth look in to President Lincoln’s leadership principles with each chapter ending with key take aways. His principles were clearly recognized throughout the book in different passages such as:
Lincoln was a natural wanderer. As a lawyer in Springfield, Illinois, he spent a great deal of time away from home, not only riding the circuit, but also seeking facts and information pertinent to any case he may have been working on at the time. He was the kind of lawyer who would go out and discover firsthand what was going on. This was one of the major elements that made him so successful at his profession. (p. 15)
While kindness was the very foundation of his personality, Lincoln also understood if people were going to come to him with ideas, suggestions, and better ways of making things work, he had to provide the climate to allow it. He actively encouraged innovative thinking and the participation of subordinates. (p. 58)
Lincoln made himself aware of any and all new technological advances so they could be implemented first by the Union, well before the Confederacy had time to act. He was quick and decisive in employing these new advances and made every attempt to get new weapons into soldier’s hands immediately, often overcoming government red tape and bureaucracy that might have delayed their use in combat. (p. 141)
A shortcoming of the book was presenting President Lincoln as the perfect leader without highlighting specific situations where he failed to influence a person or event.
The book is an excellent resource for students, educators, and those serving in leadership positions because the leadership examples are easily relatable to today’s workplace environment.
Students can benefit from the book because of the knowledge gained before entering the workplace in a full-time capacity. Educators and those in other leadership positions can use the book as a professional development tool to hone their skills and to mentor students or junior leaders. Overall, the book is ideal for training and developing current and future leaders to assume increasing levels of responsibility over the course of their careers.
References
Donald T. Phillips. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.donaldtphillipsauthor.com...
Phillips, D.T. (1992). Lincoln on leadership: Executive strategies for tough times. New York, NY: Grand Central Publishing
