Courageous Leadership
As the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln’s leadership during one of the greatest conflicts in history is a wonderful example of courage and perseverance. He led the nation out of the Civil War, had the courage to take a stand against slavery, and paid the ultimate sacrifice for his leadership. Although his actions resulted in the successful reassembly of the United States – sans slavery - he was never able to revel in that success. Regardless, the impact of Abraham Lincoln’s courageous actions triggered reverberations of change worldwide – not just impacting the history of Western Civilization.
Like many leaders that we hold in high esteem, Lincoln’s inspirational accomplishments are frequently discussed, but his challenging path to greatness often forgotten.
Lincoln had failed business ventures that cost him everything in 1831 and 1833
He was defeated for the Illinois legislature in 1832
His finance died in 1835
He had a nervous breakdown in 1836
He ran for Congress in 1843 and 1848, and Senate in 1855 and 1859 losing each time
He ran for Vice President in 1856 and lost
Two of his four sons died during his lifetime
Despite all of this, in 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President at the time when the United States was anything but united – and collapsed into ‘Civil War’. It begs the question, might the preceding challenges encountered during his life helped galvanize his resolve for our country… for humanity?
Perseverance in the face of adversity? Undeniably.
Lessons learned through tragedy and disappointment? Most Certainly.
The intent here is not to compare ourselves with Lincoln’s challenges. Each of our setbacks in life are real and there is no need to diminish them. However, it is important to realize they do not provide an excuse for each of us to stop moving forward. Create a pause? Sure. Learn from them? Certainly. Paralyze us? No.
It also begs the question regarding our motivating passion or as Simon Sinek might reply, our ‘Why’. Most would agree, it is impossible to persevere through trials and tribulation for something that you don’t fully believe in - something that doesn’t move beyond success and create significance for more than just you.
As a leader in your place of the world today (and into the future), are you willing to persevere as Lincoln did?
What is the passion that motivates you forward? What setbacks are you currently facing and what will it take to overcome them?
are you willing to courageously persevere like him as well?
Perseverance requires focused persistence. Perhaps more importantly, it requires action despite uncertainty, movement despite fear. Simply said, it requires courage. Courage is action despite fear with a touch of grace under pressure. It is the willingness to keep going each day despite barriers suggesting otherwise.
Lincoln demonstrated that the difference between challenging setbacks and incredible accomplishment was dogged persistence and courageous leadership. He believed that ‘the best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time’. That the ‘best way to predict the future is to create it’ yourself.
Do you believe that to be true?
Creating the future, our future doesn’t come without effort, without courage. Research from the Center for Creative Leadership suggests we must cultivate ourselves, our leadership capacity every day. We must also recognize that we are often our greatest limitation. Perhaps we stop just shy of what could be our greatest accomplishment, our greatest benefit to those we serve – our ability to win the war before us.
So what characteristics, what attributes do we need to develop to be just a bit more like Lincoln? Consider the following:
1. Authenticity
Authenticity is foundational to courageous leadership. Studies suggest authentic leadership increases organizational engagement, team satisfaction, job satisfaction, and increased employee retention. Authentic leaders embrace continuous growth and development while also enhancing self-awareness. Authenticity also builds trust – an essential attribute for any team.
“It often requires more courage to dare to do right than to fear to do wrong” - Lincoln
2. Resiliency
Leadership can be challenging. I have heard it said that ‘Resiliency is the capacity to not only endure great challenges, but to get stronger amidst them’. It requires perseverance, bravery, insight, and action.
I also believe it isn’t something everyone intrinsically possesses; it’s a learned capability that can be honed through experience. When facing challenges, what we learn and how we apply it makes us just a bit braver for future endeavors. It impacts ourselves, and our teams.
“I will prepare and someday my chance will come.” - Lincoln
3. Self-Discipline
The Law of the Lid, taught by John Maxwell, states that leadership ability is the lid that determines a person’s level of effectiveness. The higher the individual’s ability to lead, the higher the lid on their potential. Your leadership ability – for better or worse – always determines your effectiveness and the potential impact on your team and organization.
Self-discipline raises your lid. Small efforts daily over a duration of time exponentially raises your leadership ability. It also builds poise under pressure. Are you disciplined enough to go the distance?
“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm” - Lincoln
4. Emotional Intelligence
Daniel Goleman stated, “the most effective leaders are alike in one crucial way: They all have a high degree of what has come to be known as emotional intelligence. IQ and technical skills do matter, but they are the entry-level requirements for executive positions.” While many elements define your EI, self-awareness, motivation, empathy (feeling with someone), social skills, and teachability are essential.
A keen sense of emotional intelligence is vital to being a leader who can collaborate with others to achieve critical goals. Again, it is about awareness. Pay attention to your behaviors and your effect on others. How do others react to you? What is it like to be led by you? If you are not sure, ask – the answers may be enlightening.
“We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it” - Lincoln
5. Purpose
Success is knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your potential, and bringing value to others. It flows from understanding your passion and aligning and developing your strengths to bring value to and impact the lives of others.
It has been said that your purpose is best found at the intersection of your passion and your unique giftedness (what you are good at). It consists of the central motivating aims of your life – the reason you get up in the morning ready for the day. Purpose guides life decision, influences behavior, shapes goals, provides direction and creates meaning. For some it is inspired by faith while others it may be connected to vocation. What is your purpose?
“I don’t know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be.” – Lincoln
Impactful leadership requires courage. Take some time looking through the 5 attributes and questions above. Society desperately needs selfless and courageous leaders like Lincoln – might you rise to the occasion?
“I dream of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth” - Abraham Lincoln