Leadership in Turbulent Times: Lessons from Abraham Lincoln. You do not want to learn the hard way, Read on…

I have always been fascinated by President Lincoln.  Lincoln was born into poverty, his father kept him out of school.

Lincoln suffered from "melancholy" — today, he'd be diagnosed as depressive. He tried to kill himself twice.

Despite that, Abraham Lincoln was known for his sense of humor. He had a distinctive wit and was often noted for his ability to tell stories and anecdotes that could both entertain and make a point.

His humor was often self-deprecating and used as a way to connect with people from various walks of life.

Lincoln was almost completely self-educated,  Lincoln became a country lawyer, an Illinois state legislator, and a one-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Lincoln won the presidency with no inside ties, no money, no good looks, no connections, and no formal education.

Lincoln persuaded his rivals to join his cabinet and led the team of rivals to save the American Union and abolish slavery.

Lincoln was an effective leader without being full of himself or tyrannical. People in power generally tend to have needy egos, but Lincoln didn't.

Lincoln was assassinated in April 1865, he left an indelible mark on the fabric of American history, a testament to his leadership, moral courage, and enduring commitment to justice and equality.

Lessons from Lincoln

1.     Acknowledge when failed policies demand a change in direction

2.     Gather first-hand information, ask questions

3.     Find time and space in which to think

4.     Exhaust all possibility of compromise before imposing unilateral executive power

5.     Anticipate contending viewpoints

6.     Assume full responsibility for a pivotal decision

7.     Understand the emotional needs of each member of the team

8.     Refuse to let past resentments fester; transcend personal vendettas

9.     Set a standard of mutual respect and dignity; control anger

10.  Shield colleagues from blame

11.  Maintain perspective in the face of both accolades and abuse

12.  Find ways to cope with pressure, maintain balance, replenish energy

13.  Keep your word

14.  Know when to hold back, when to move forward

15.  Combine transactional and transformational leadership

16.  Be accessible, easy to approach

17.  Put ambition for the collective interest above self-interest

There is a story that underpins each lesson, more to come later.

I highly recommend reading “Team of Rivals” and “Leadership” by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Learn, and laugh every day.

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