Abraham Lincoln: The Qualities Of An Effective Leader

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People are always asking, what makes a great leader? Is it their sense of awareness for national or worldwide problems or how they can see where the issues are in individual states or even cities? Is it how they can take control and sky rocket production or how they take time out of their workday to get to know their employees? Everyone has his or her own opinion of the qualities a successful leader should obtain. In my opinion, despite their opposing dispositions, an extraordinary leader needs to possess both introvert and extrovert qualities. Introverts are often seen as quiet or shy and that is why some label them as poor leaders. Over 60% of the CEO’s today are successful extroverts, so it seems as though the odds are against the more quiet …show more content…

So in order for us to have any leaders today they are going to likely possess introvert or extrovert qualities. Some of the most amazing leaders in history are introverts, starting with Abraham Lincoln (Introverted Leaders…). Lincoln was not only an exceptional politician, but he was first a self-taught lawyer. He did not come from a well-educated or wealthy family, so his choice to push past his fears and further his communication skills is the main reason he succeeded in his term as president. He not only talked at the people, but he talked to them in a way that they were comfortable with and understood (Introverted Leaders…). Lincoln’s quiet confidence provided him with any opportunities to sit back and listen to what people had to say process what he was going to say before he was required to say it. Another impressive and well-known introvert was Rosa Parks (Introverted Leaders…). Parks was an African-American civil rights activist and is most famous for remaining seated and not relocating to the back of the bus when a white man boarded with no where to sit. She was arrested for violating the laws of segregation and this act of resistance started the flame that leads to the Montgomery Bus Boycotts and many other civil rights activist to begin standing up for what they knew was right (Introverted Leaders…). The list continues on for famous introverts in history because many people feel as though they need to defend them, to prove they can but just as powerful and influential as the competing