Leadership is the process of putting up a practice for people to throw in their efforts to make something happen. In a nutshell, leadership is perceived to mean the capacity to put in order a group of people to accomplish a common objective. The kind of a leader that an organization has will determine the direction that the organization will take in terms of development. Visionary and exemplary leaders will steer an organization to prosperity and success while inefficient leaders will drive the organization to disarray and disorder (Burns 6).
The overall definition of leadership is not easy to find. However, most definitions of leadership include elements found in the standard definition proposed by Stogdill. Stogdill defined leadership as a process of influencing the actions/operations of a structured group of people to establish or achieve a specific goal (Stogdill 366).
Whereas it is not the goal of this essay to investigate in great depth, the leadership of Abraham Lincoln from the perspective of a specific theory, it is clear that he could be understood to embody a number of the chronological and recent theories and models. Where the characteristic style of leadership is concerned, Lincoln can be seen to fit into the ‘ main five’ elements of trait theory (Kennedy 12). These elements originated from numerous years of trait theory studies, from Stogdill’s fundamental work in the late 1940s and early 1970s, through to Kirkpatrick and Locke’s non-conformist perspective that such crucial leadership qualities can be learned and also acquired.
The main five’ elements are insight, fearlessness, determination, uprightness, and friendliness. As this essay attempts to document, such qualities, (especially insight, determination, and uprightness) characterize Lincoln’s leadership (Kennedy 13).
One vital distinction between the skill and the trait approach to leadership is that the latter is to a great extent held to be firm and inherent, while skills can be obtained and shaped. The skilled approach additionally plainly indicates that leadership attributes, (for example, charm and amiability) in themselves are insufficient since leaders also have to be capable (Anel 5). With respect to the skilled approach, this essay represents the perspective that in numerous regards, Lincoln was ‘learning at work’. Such learning was difficult on numerous occasions (intensified by the virulent civil war), but once learned, Lincoln can be seen to utilize the new skills to a great effect.
Regardless of the way that essential advancements in the skilled approach to leadership have been the outcome of current studies (for instance, Manning and Curtis), it was Robert Katz that was influential in developing the theory. According to him, there are three skills that are vital for efficient leadership, that is, the human aspect, the theoretical aspect and the technical aspect (Anel 7)
Once again, Lincoln can be seen to typify each of the three. For example, his humankind characterized him as a president, as well as a man; his ability to comprehend and pardon is well recorded (even by his foes). Lincoln’s conceptual capacity is evident in his handling of army operations and the overall bearing of the war (Burlingame par.6).
Nonetheless, the Gettysburg speech was not just a rhetoric statement, its power likewise lies in the way in which Lincoln conceptualized high moral and leadership standards, for example, he was in the forefront in advocating for freedom, equity and opportunity for all, which are the key pillars of democratic government and humanity (Manning and Curtis 33). Lincoln’s only weakness was the fact that he was somehow dictatorial and made numerous decisions without consultation. As a result, he had numerous enemies both within and outside the government. This is what led to his assassination (Burlingame par.18).
Works Cited
Anel, Abilmagzumova. The Leadership Style of Thatcher and Lincoln as Portrayed in Film, Kazakhstan: Pavlodar State University, 2013. Print.
Burlingame, Michael. Abraham Lincoln Biography. 2014. Web.
Burns, James. Leadership, New York: Harper & Row, 1978. Print.
Kennedy, John. Abraham Lincoln: Lessons in Leadership, Surrey: Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, 2013. Print.
Manning, George, and Kent Curtis. Art of Leadership. 3rd ed. 2009. New York: McGraw Hill. Print.
Stogdill, Ralph. Handbook of leadership: A survey of theory and research, New York: Free Press, 1974.Print.