Remembering Lincoln as we celebrate Juneteenth

Juneteenth is known as “Emancipation Day” or “Freedom Day,” and commemorates the date, two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation… June 19, 1865, when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and gave word to enslaved African Americans that they were free.

Abraham Lincoln was a thoughtful leader to whom we can attribute many great speeches, quotes, and laws. One of which, is the Emancipation Proclamation, which was a forerunner to Juneteenth.

By studying the life of Abraham Lincoln, I have learned many uplifting things about leadership. As we celebrate Juneteenth 2022, I am reflecting on the wonderful impression Lincoln has made on our great nation, our company (AbeTech) and me. There is nothing I can write about Abraham Lincoln that has not already been written, but as a tribute to “Honest Abe” on steamy Juneteenth in Minnesota, I have summarized 5 “Lincoln Lessons” that have shaped my views on leadership.

Lincoln’s presence is with us this Juneteenth as we enjoy our unalienable rights for “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” His presence is also with us as we navigate the challenges of today - racial conflict, political division, and pandemic unrest. Let us all learn from Lincoln’s life and embrace his ongoing presence as we guide our nation into tomorrow.

Lincoln’s Leadership - Lessons Learned

1.?Empathy & Compassion

Empathy and compassion sound like “soft skills,” but they are actually attributes that are only found in the “strongest” of leaders. True leaders look beyond themselves – beyond their personal feelings, ambitions, and biases – and channel their focus on connecting with the hearts, minds, and motivations of others.?True leaders demonstrate empathy and compassion to attract self-motivated people that wake up every day to do their best work; make progress on life’s dreams; and be part of something bigger than themselves.

“Old Abe” earned trust and touched hearts when he set foot on battlefields and inside hospitals, where he spent countless hours talking with soldiers. He listened with intensity - what was happening on the battlefield; what did the soldiers need for resources; what strategies did they feel would succeed; did they believe in the purpose of the war; and what did they fear most??Lincoln absorbed the soldier’s feedback into the very fibers of his being and acted upon their requests.?With playful banter and engaging storytelling, Lincoln momentarily pulled the soldiers away from the war and connected with them on a human level.?

Reflection:?I chose this lesson to be first because it calls upon the foundation of leadership – other people. As leaders, our time and attention are stretched in many directions: strategy sessions, boardroom updates, operating details, etc.?These disciplines are incredibly important and can be all-consuming, but none of it matters if our team feels disconnected, misunderstood, unappreciated, or fearful. Lincoln was a great leader because he spent time with his people - in their environment. He experienced their reality, understood their perspective, and helped them believe in themselves.

Lincoln has taught me that…

Having?Empathy & Compassion?fosters a keen understanding of what matters most to others.

2.?Communication Through Stories

With the humblest upbringing, Lincoln had very limited access to formal education and books. Throughout his life, Lincoln devoured the topics he studied by reading aloud, writing notes, memorizing passages, and reciting to others.?He approached communication as a storytelling art form by incorporating Shakespeare, the Bible, philosophy, poetry, and law into a style that is distinctly Lincoln’s.

“That reminds me of a story…” was a phrase Lincoln often used as he shifted his mood from melancholy to cheerfulness – gifting those around him with stories of witty metaphors, tall tales, and insightful anecdotes. Lincoln mastered his use of stories, speeches, and letters so that he could express his thoughts in ways in which others could relate - gracefully planting his sentiments into the hearts and minds of others.

“I reckon I have the popular reputation of being a storyteller, but it is not the story itself, but its purpose, that interests me. I often avoid a long and useless discussion or a laborious explanation by a short story that illustrates my point of view.” Abraham Lincoln

Reflection:?As leaders, communication is central to our role. The same excuse of “being busy,” that makes empathy and compassion a challenge, is what causes us to cut corners with communication. With every message, whether it be an email, PowerPoint, video, or live presentation, we have a choice to make. Are we communicating with a devoted intent of helping others understand, or are we communicating to simply deliver content? Is our communication style a work of art? With empathy and compassion as the foundation of our leadership, we can leverage our understanding of others to craft a message that puts others at the center of our message and turns communication into a gift – a story that others can relate to.

Lincoln has taught me that…

Communication Through Stories?is an art form that bonds the listener to the message.

3.?Guide Debates & Delegate Decisions

As a lawyer, Lincoln focused as much on anticipating the oppositions’ arguments as he did in preparing arguments for his client.?Lincoln consistently entered the courtroom more prepared than the opposing lawyer and his empathic storytelling enabled Lincoln to influence juries with his persuasive arguments. By embracing the viewpoints of the opposition, Lincoln strengthened his own position.?

When Lincoln was appointed as President, he assembled his leadership team in the same manner as a legal case – he created a “team of rivals” and surrounded himself with strong opinions and opposing viewpoints. Lincoln united these adversaries by inviting their debate, relying on their expertise, and trusting their decisions. Lincoln reluctantly issued “my final word” decisions only when he felt confident his team had fully debated a topic and had reached a stalemate conclusion.

Reflection:?In my early years of leadership, I did not fully grasp the concept of “elevate and delegate.”?I assumed that debates should only be conducted in private discussions and that my team wanted me to make the decisions. Following Lincoln’s example, I have reshaped those assumptions into a servant leadership mindset. Today, I approach my role as a guide that helps the team “seek out issues to debate,” “attack issues & praise people,” and “trust & support the decisions of others.”?I have learned through Lincoln that my leadership presence has its biggest impact when my position of authority is least noticeable.

Lincoln has taught me to…

Guide Debates & Delegate Decisions?to build trust & empower others to own their outcomes.

4.?Winning Does Not Create Losers

Reflection:?For this lesson, I am starting with my reflection.?Throughout our lives, we seek to survive, thrive, win, innovate, succeed, outmaneuver, etc.?There is nothing wrong with this – it is in our nature; however, left unchecked, our drive to “win” can foster a mindset that someone else has to “lose.” Lincoln’s life was a 56-year showcase on how to live with grace and humility.?In the face of defeat, Lincoln pointed blame only at himself, and in the face of victory, he honored the opposition. As a parent, spouse, friend, boss, and teammate, we cannot underestimate the importance of filling our lives with grace and humility amid victory or defeat. We cannot win people over by running them over.

Lincoln’s grace and humility are vivid in his two Inaugural Address speeches (excerpts below), but the most profound example I have read occurred in a private moment, just minutes after the Union’s victory and Lincoln’s famous speech in Gettysburg. Lincoln visited the battleground’s hospital, which was filled with injured soldiers. Tucked away in a dark corner, Lincoln saw a terminally injured man – a Confederate soldier named Jess Cotter. After a few minutes of talking, Lincoln consoled Mr. Cotter with these amazing words, “Jess, I am President Lincoln, and I’m honored to shake your hand. The Union Army is not fighting a war against the people of the south. It’s fighting the rebellious system that would divide our country. If we are victorious, we will welcome your family as citizens of a united and free nation.”

First Inaugural Address:?“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.”

Second Inaugural Address:?“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

Lincoln has taught me that…

True success is achieved when?Winning Does Not Create Losers?in one’s pursuit of victory.

5.?Determination & Distress

The stresses in Lincoln’s life were unrelenting with bankruptcy in business, death of loved ones, defeat in early politics, betrayal by allies, marital challenges, a nation at war, and… so much stress. It is heartbreaking to know that Lincoln suffered from depression (melancholia) and that his distress pushed him to the brink of contemplating suicide.

"I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one cheerful face on the earth. Whether I shall ever be better I can not tell; I awfully forebode I shall not. To remain as I am is impossible; I must die or be better, it appears to me." Abraham Lincoln

Fortunately, as Lincoln slipped away into his own sorrowful thoughts, he sorted through his vision for a better world and tapped into his unbridled determination to create a more perfect union. He found his calling. Although Lincoln ebbed and flowed between determination and distress throughout his adulthood, he generated positive momentum. Lincoln channeled his empathy into a hatred for slavery and finetuned his artful stories into a compelling “one nation” presidential campaign.

For the first 52 years of his life, Lincoln bolstered his resolve and shaped his talents in hopes of one day making a bigger impact on the world. And then, in a remarkable presidency of only 4 years, 1 month and 10 days, Lincoln blessed the world with unprecedented leadership that saved our nation’s unity and led the charge to rid our homeland of horrific slavery. Lincoln was truly remarkable.

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.” Abraham Lincoln

Reflection:?I chose this as my final Lincoln Lesson because it can only be appreciated after having first embraced the other lessons I have noted.?There is no simple way to say this… Leadership is hard.?There are days (sometimes weeks on end) where the pressure of uncertainty is nearly unbearable and the passion to achieve is emotionally unsettling. When heading off-track, leadership can pummel a leader into depression, addiction, rage, divorce, burnout, and criminal activity. Leadership is hard indeed, and it’s even more challenging when following the lessons from Lincoln because he didn’t cut corners or make compromises. But leadership is also an incredibly rewarding, joyful and rewarding journey. As much as a young leader might not want to hear this, it probably takes about 50 years of living to be ready to embody the leadership principles of Lincoln.?It takes a few decades of learning, struggling and appreciating the complexity of life that is interwoven into leadership.?For me, at age 50, I guess that means I am just about ready to begin my apprenticeship.

Lincoln has taught me that…

The leadership journey is a long road & delicate balance of?Determination & Distress.

Leaders take many forms. There are those that lead nations, companies, teams, states, causes, small groups, etc. We all can lead in one manner or another and placing thoughtfulness at the top of our list of?priorities, is a winning strategy for all involved.?- Chris