6 Leadership Lessons from Lincoln

President Abraham Lincoln is considered one of (if not) America's greatest presidents. 
-What made him so great?
-What made is legacy live on for generations?

-Below are 6 qualities that Honest Abe displayed that made his life and his legacy great-

1.  Awareness of Own Weaknesses:
Kearns Goodwin noted that one of the weaknesses acknowledged by Lincoln was his tendency to give people too many chances and because he was aware, he was able to compensate for that weakness.

2. Ability to Control Emotions:
Lincoln treated those he worked with well. However, he did get angry and frustrated, so he found a way to channel those emotions. He was known to sit down and write what he referred to as a "hot letter" to the individual he was angry with and then he would set the letter aside and not send it. If he did lose his temper, Lincoln would follow up with a kind gesture or letter to let the individual know he was not holding a grudge.

3. Know How to Relax and Replenish:
Lincoln understood the importance of relaxation and humor to shake of the stress of the day and to replenish himself for the challenges of the next day. Lincoln had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tell funny stories. He encouraged a healthy atmosphere of laughter and fun in his administration.


4. Go Out into the Field and Manage Directly:
Lincoln established lasting connections with the troops by visiting the battlefield and hospitals, which also helped bolster morale.  He held public receptions and made a point of shaking everyone's hand and speaking to each individual.


5. Strength to Adhere to Fundamental Goals:
In the summer of 1864,  the war was not going well for the North. Members of his political party came to Lincoln and said that there was no way to win the war and he might need to compromise on slavery. Lincoln held firm on the issue of slavery and turned away from this advice.


6. Ability to Communicate Goals and Vision:
Lincoln had a "remarkable ability to communicate his goals to his countrymen. He made concepts simple and communicated with an understanding of the concerns of the citizens.
 

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.