Lincoln On Leadership Summary

Lincoln on Leadership, written by Donald T. Phillips, is a novel highlighting the leadership styles of one of the most honorable presidents of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln. Throughout the course of the book, many strategies Lincoln utilized were emphasized giving anecdotes in which he used while serving his two consecutive terms. Although many of Lincoln’s subordinates were mentioned throughout the text (such as William H. Seward, Edwin M. Stanton, and Ulysses S. Grant, to name a few), Abraham Lincoln was the main character depicted in this book. Abraham Lincoln was the 14th President exemplifying what a true leader encompasses. This book was compiled on the grounds that most people in leadership position do not understand the “nuts and bolts” of skilled leadership (Phillips, 2009, p. xii). The aim of Lincoln on Leadership was

Any person who would like to be an effective leader could benefit from a book such as this one. President Abraham Lincoln exemplifies a strong, fair, humble, decisive, and respectful man. In order for one to be successful, one must work with the people, which is exactly what Lincoln demonstrated he did. Lincoln offers lessons in standing for what a person believes in and not letting other people overpower what is right. He expresses how to approach situations and guide rather than make orders. It is evident that being persuasive is essential in gaining the trust and respect of people, and most important always be honest. An example in which demonstrates Lincoln as being an effective leader is taking charge when he felt the need to. Instead of sitting behind his desk in the White House, he took the battlefield when he felt as though things were not getting done. With every great leader’s successes there are failures, but a good leader admits to failure and overcomes it, which is exactly what Abraham Lincoln