The 5 Top Leadership Traits of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States. During his term, he modernized the economy, held the Union together throughout the American Civil War, and freed the slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation.
His actions had a more substantial impact on the fate of our nation than those of any President since George Washington. By any measure, he was one of our greatest leaders.
But what made him such an exceptional leader? What leadership traits made Lincoln's legacy stand the test of time?
Though being on the front lines of the business world may not have the same ramifications as the American Civil War, we can all learn something from strong leaders like Lincoln.
Here are the five most important qualities that made Abraham Lincoln a great leader:
Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States
Humble and Self-Assured
When Lincoln ran in the 1860 election, he wasn’t expected to win. He was a nobody in politics - just a one-term Congressman from Illinois.
His political opponents, Salmon P. Chase, William Seward, and Edward Bates, didn’t have a lot of respect for him. After he won, they though they could use him as a pawn.
When he arrived in the Oval Office, many expected him to take action against his rivals - but he chose a different way. In a great example of the political genius of Abraham Lincoln, he decided to bring them into his administration as cabinet members.
He knew they wanted his job. He knew they were plotting against him. But he added them to his cabinet anyway.
He did so because they were experienced and knowledgeable. He believed their addition would be good for the country.
This story is told in great detail by Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin in her book Team of Rivals. I highly recommend reading it if you’d like to learn more!
Humorous
Abraham Lincoln inherited a sense of humor from his father, Thomas Lincoln. The pair would often sit around the woodstove swapping jokes and stories with others. Lincoln carried is proclivity for jokes through his political career into the White House.
Lincoln’s jokes were often self-deprecating. On one occasion, when a debate opponent accused him of being two-faced, he replied, “If I had two faces, would I be wearing this one?”
Lincoln also loved to joke about the people around him. When a citizen asked, “You never swear, Mr. President, do you?” he replied, “Oh, I don’t have to. You know I have Stanton in my Cabinet.” Edwin Stanton was known to be a bit colorful with his language.
Lincoln’s sharp sense of humor helped him build relationships with allies an opponents alike.
One of his fiercest political rivals, Stephen A. Douglas, once said of Lincoln’s jokes and stories:
“[They were] like a slap across my back. Nothing else - not any of his arguments or any of his replies to my questions - disturbs me. But when he begins to tell a story, I feel that I am overmatched.”
Without his sense of humor and the relationships it helped build, Lincoln would never have been able to navigate the difficult decisions he faced throughout his presidency.
Powerful Writer and Orator
As a young boy, Lincoln had only two books - Aesop’s Fables and The Bible. He read them over and over in his spare time. In doing so, he learned about the power of words and the beauty of lyricism.
His love of words grew stronger over time, and he eventually went on to become one of the best writers and orators in US history.
His most famous works include the Gettysburg Address and his first inaugural address, in which he urged American citizens to avoid civil war:
“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
His ability to convey important messages in a personal way is a hallmark of successful leaders.
Empathetic
Lincoln had the innate ability to put himself in another individual’s shoes. That empathetic nature even extended to animals.
One day, while traveling to Congress, he spotted a pig stuck in the mud. He wondered how he’d feel if he were in the pig’s place. After a few moments, he told his driver to stop the carriage and went to pull the animal out of the mud.
Lincoln’s empathy helped him understand the people around him - their motivations, desires, and fears. It gave him insight into the way others would approach difficult situations.
Empathy is one of the best aspects of Lincoln’s leadership style. Business leaders who make an effort to emulate his approach tend to go far in their careers.
Visionary
Lincoln was highly aware of the pressure he faced as President during a tumultuous time in American history. He knew the fate of the nation sat squarely on his shoulders.
Lincoln understood he would need to do big things, and he had a clear vision of how to do them.
When it came to preserving the Union, he knew he had to win the Civil War. There was no other way. So, every decision he made was aligned toward accomplishing that goal.
Lincoln also had the vision to know he could not be too harsh on his countrymen in the southern states. He knew that if he was going to heal the country after the war, he could not embarrass or humiliate them.
He only required defeated Southerners to pledge their loyalty to the Union and free their slaves.
The long-term effects of Lincoln's vision continue to impact the lives of American citizens today.
In Conclusion
Abraham Lincoln has always been one of my favorite Presidents, and I hope this review of his 5 most important personality traits shows you why!
I have already ordered Jon Meacham’s new Lincoln biography, “And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle” - and I can’t wait to read it!
If it’s as good as I think it’s going to be, I’ll be sure to write a detailed book review! To make sure that review goes straight to your inbox, subscribe to my newsletter!
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.