The name Abraham Lincoln promotes different thoughts for different people. Some think of “Honest Abe” and his impeccable reputation for integrity, others think of Abe’s face plastered on $5 bills and pennies. And who could forget that extremely legitimate beard. For me, the words, “Of the people, by the people, and for the people….” always come to mind when I think of Lincoln.
Lincoln was leader during one of the great tipping points in history. Young America was pushing west, and with the expansion came division. While commerce and technology were changing by leaps and bounds, a sordid thorn remained lodged in America’s side. Slavery had driven an idealogical wedge in the nation, and at the same time trampled the very human rights that the nation represented. This dissonance culminated in a bloody civil war which claimed over 600,000 lives.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking circumstance of this war, was that people were often pitted against close friends and even immediate family. This and other difficult conditions lead many men to flee from their ranks. The challenge of banding soldiers together and keeping them unifed proved most diffuclt for many Union leaders. In fact, during his presidency, Lincoln dealt with over 1600 cases of military disciplne. The vast majority of these cases involved charges of desertion.
Most Union generals during this time became dictatorial in trying to keep soldiers from leaving. Many wanted to set examples of what happens to deserters, by inflicting strict punishment on those who were caught. Lincoln, however, believed that compassion was a better answer. He pardoned many soldiers, and spent countless hours hearing their cases and unique situations. This attitude of mercy extended beyond mere policy; it was part of Lincoln’s natural demeanor. He loved being with people and listening to them, including his subordinates.
One aspect of Lincoln’s unique style of leadership was his availability to all. He had open office hours, and was known to show up at random to encampments where surprised soldiers got the chance to speak with him face-to-face. He spent time observing the conditions in the camps and listening to the men. Doing this gave him insights on some subtle changes that could be made to improve the soldiers’ overall conditions. But meeting the people at their level also gave Lincoln empathy–not just for the leaders, but also for the ordinary soldiers. This style of mingling with those he was managing became a critical component of the defeat over the Confederate Army, as well as to reuniting a divided nation.
Lincoln’s hands-on approach to managing has since been adapted and used in the world on business and non-profit management, being coined “Managing By Wandering Around” (MBWA).
But what Lincoln did was much more than sit with his soldiers and lend an ear. He sought to understand them. He would learn about their struggles, their families, and their interests, and even listen to their jokes. Lincoln made the effort to know these men, and in doing so helped them to see that he sincerely cared about them.
Lincoln is quoted as saying:
“If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart, which, say what you will, is the great high-road to his reason, and which, when once gained, you will find but little trouble in convincing his judgment of the justice of your cause.”
Lincoln’s leadership was not one of dictating and commanding, but of caring and gentle persuasion. This wise approach helped end the practice of slavery in America, and so preserved a nation nearly lost. Lincoln was truly a leader “of the people, by the people and for the people.”