Abraham Lincoln’s Methods of Leadership: An Everyman’s Hero – Article Mahrukh Rajpoot

Mahrukh Rajput : Since February is Lincoln’s month so why not take this opportunity to reflect on his greatest leadership achievements and pay honour to him during Lincoln Month? Trying to live up to someone else’s ideals is the best way to show your appreciation for their work. And that’s why we celebrate Abraham and highlight his wise leadership practices. What was Abraham Lincoln’s style of leadership? Is the most crucial question to ask when discussing his presidency. How can the presidency of Abraham Lincoln teach today’s leaders anything?

The best explanation is that Lincoln kept an “Open Door Policy” throughout his presidency, making himself available to anyone who needed to speak to him, regardless of rank. Lincoln’s reputation as a model leader is largely attributable to his ability to gain his followers’ confidence and earn their respect in this manner.

For the good of his people, he was well-versed in carrying out his responsibilities. Oh, the grace with which he uttered that “What I did, I did after very full deliberation, and under a heavy and solemn sense of responsibility. I can only trust in God that I have made no mistake”. Hereafter within this part, We’ll examine how Lincoln’s transparent leadership style aided him as president and how we might learn from his example.

Integrity and Bravery:

True leaders are always willing to give their lives for their followers. Abraham Lincoln never expected anyone else to perform work that he wasn’t willing to do himself. He was the one who led by example and established the standard. Lincoln became more visible to the men and women he sent to fight and die for the Union as the war progressed. He was in the front lines alongside the troops, whether that be in a hospital or under fire. His deeds mirrored his remarks. His bravery and honesty were inseparable traits. Lincoln was a man of his word and did what he advocated for, no matter the cost.

Openness to feedback and guidance:

As a politician, Lincoln was receptive to opposing viewpoints. He bolstered his leadership by engaging the culture of the moment in conversation, and he used the feedback he received to correct his own actions and enhance his reputation. The actions of a good person should look like this. Indeed, what the government and people of Pakistan need to do is learn to take advice and criticism seriously. The path to self-improvement lies in this very direction.

Constantly Maintain Human Contact:

Lincoln took action and spoke with his subordinates. He was in the midst of his troops and subordinates. They could see, hear, and interact with him at any time. When he was not around others, he did not shut himself away. He did not establish a royal bodyguard. There was a lack of self-esteem development. Anyone could visit the Lincoln White House. His crew was his family, and he loved them dearly. Lincoln routinely visited with members of his Cabinet, staff members, and visitors from all walks of life. He had a discussion with prominent business people who advocated for improved medical technology and pharmaceuticals for treating war casualties. His research aided the war effort by uncovering novel strategies and tools.

One Who Expresses Thoughts Clearly:

Lincoln’s ability to relate to and influence others was crucial to his success throughout the narrative. The legendary US president was an accomplished orator who could captivate an audience with his tales and inspire them to invest in his plans. It’s crucial for a leader to demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively.

One Who Is Upfront and Honest:

One of Lincoln’s nicknames was “Honest Abe.” He was true to his word. When we’re honest, others can see right through us, and we earn their respect and, more importantly, their trust. Building trust is challenging, and it only takes one dishonest act to destroy it. People believed Lincoln because he was honest and trustworthy. By adhering to the adage “Honesty is the best policy,” Lincoln was able to win over the hearts of the American people.

A Compassionate Leader:

The ability to feel compassion is characterized by a deep emotional response to the pain of others. One way to do this is to put other people ahead of yourself. This quality is crucial for a president, since it assures that he or she will make decisions based on what is best for the country as a whole. Abraham Lincoln was one of the kindest presidents in American history because he cared about everyone, including the slaves. Many people disagreed with him, but he always acted in their best interests. Specifically, he fought for the rights of slaves, a group that was widely despised at the time. Lincoln’s compassion was a driving force in bettering life for former slaves. Lincoln’s actions had a significant impact on the lives of many people. He maintained this practice every year throughout his four years in office.

Perseverance of Lincoln:

Lincoln advocated transforming adversity into opportunity by not giving up. His life’s work is a testament to the power of persistence. In 1931, he had a business failure. In 1932, he ran for the state legislature but lost. In the year 1933, he gave another business venture a shot. It was a dismal failure. Sadly, his future wife passed away in 1935. In 1936, he experienced a nervous collapse. He attempted to run for Congress in 1943 but lost. In 1948, he tried again, but was unsuccessful. In 1955, he attempted a candidature for the United States Senate.

Indeed, he was defeated. He made a failed bid for Vice President the following year. In 1959, he made another unsuccessful run for the Senate. A man who signed his name A. Lincoln was elected 16th President of the United States in 1860. This was a man whose unwavering confidence in himself seemed to grow with each setback.

As to why Lincoln is still relevant today?: Lincoln’s life offers a valuable lesson
The lessons we may learn from Lincoln’s life are applicable not just to Pakistan’s political elite, but to all Pakistanis. A few lessons can be drawn from Lincoln’s life.

Be Bold and Fearless:

If you want others to make sacrifices, you need to be willing to make some yourself. You need to stick with the team. If a man is paralyzed by fear, he can never achieve his goals. Lincoln was always there for his people and was a true soldier on the front lines anytime the country was in peril. As a result, he never worries that he may be attacked. With his troops in tow, he strode fearlessly. Can this be happening in our government? That’s why it’s imperative that we take some risky actions.

Truthfulness and Integrity are Crucial:

We are able to spot unethical actions in real time. Lincoln stressed the importance of honesty, integrity, and treating others with dignity and respect. Among the most prized of human qualities are honesty and integrity. People are more likely to trust and rely on us when we are truthful. It’s also crucial to be truthful with ourselves and to adhere to our own set of values and principles. One sign of integrity is taking a firm stance for what one considers to be right. In order to keep things calm and happy, it’s crucial to encourage truthfulness and moral rectitude. It improves group intelligence, fosters honest dialogue, and increases responsibility.

Having empathy and being brave go hand in one:

Lincoln emphasized the need of kindness wherever it was feasible. It was the decent thing to do and it helped foster cooperation and understanding. Being a leader involves the bravery to make tough, if ultimately necessary, choices. It takes brave leaders to encourage new ideas, ones that break new ground and challenge established norms. They need empathy to win others over, inspire creative thinking, and make everyone feel welcome. Resilience, progress, and survival into the future are all bolstered by courageous and empathetic leadership. For development to occur, one must be brave enough to leave their safe space and try new things even if they know it would be difficult.

Anticipate Criticism:

Lincoln was the target of severe criticism. He confronted falsehoods before they could be called “biblical,” yet he rarely expended much effort on his detractors. A rule to overlook criticism should be established, as doing otherwise would distract us from our mission. In addition, we need to view criticism not as a personal attack but as constructive feedback. You can learn something useful from practically any criticism you read.

Over time, we come to understand that it’s best to look for the bright side of what’s generally regarded as dreary. The challenge arises when the naysayer is seen as an irritant. It’s more harder to locate the positive truths within the often harsh criticism when the stakes are higher.

These are some of Lincoln’s finest qualities, and they can help us become better people. These qualities are essential for our government and our society as a whole. By each person doing their part, society as a whole can improve. Why shouldn’t our citizens and government take a page out of their books?

Why is our NAB so preoccupied with fighting corruption if our moral fiber is deep and we are faithfully carrying out our responsibilities? When are we going to learn from the past? Do we plan to continue on this path of destruction? Our government and people are capable of great things, but alas they are not willing to do so. Hope springs eternal that one day we will have grown from our mistakes and understand our value.

References:
1-White, Ronald C. (2009). A. Lincoln: A Biography. New York, New York: Random House. ISBN 978-1-58836-775-4.
2-Carpenter, Francis B. (1866). Six Months in the White House: The Story of a Picture. Hurd and Houghton. p. 217

(The writer is an economist and student of L.L.B. She can be reached at mahrukhrajput8@gmail.com)