Lincoln on Leadership, Essay Example

Introduction

Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, proved that strong leadership skills could save an entire country from anticipated catastrophe. Under his leadership the U.S. survived the Civil War, slavery was abolished, and a solid foundation of economic modernization was established(Belz, 1998). The same leadership methods that were effective more than a century ago are applicable today. This memo will propose that the firm study Lincoln on Leadership. This book will effectively teach program participants communication tactics and strategies which are crucial to the survival of any organization by applying Lincoln’s varied leadership abilities to today’s multifaceted business world.

Lincoln on Effective Organizational Communication

In any organization, communication is paramount to the survival of the organization. Lincoln argued that effective communication is possible only ifmembers of the organization make an effort to become acquainted with other members of the organization. This is especially important to employees in management positions. The only way to fully understand the organization’s operations is to fully understand each individual department’s operations. This is only possible if the manager integrates his or her duties with the duties of other employees. By pursuing an active interest in the day-to-day operations of any given department, a manager can improve interdepartmental communications, boost staff morale, increase employee productivity, and implement a successful organization(Phillips, 1993).

Effective communication often stems from the manner in which information is communicated. Phillips (1993) argues that employees are more likely to do what is asked of them, if they are asked in a way that is not indicative of dictation or pressure. In other words, if a manager recommends or suggests a certain course of action instead of demanding it, an employee would be more likely to make those changes. This idea stems directly from Lincoln’s assertion that people are naturally more inclined to respond to a communication process which involves suggestions rather than blatant orders. However, Lincoln adds that although suggestions and requests for individual opinions are effective methods to accomplish change, a successful leader must also know when to take charge. Effective leadership depends on the intricate combination of communication and control (Phillips, 1993).

Additionally, Lincoln argued that effective leadership depended on effective communication. Effective communication is possible only if all the information pertinent to the given situation is factual and comprehensive. Lincoln argued that in order for any organization to be successful, it was crucial that all interested parties shared the same information. In other words, a manager cannot expect employees to do a good job if the employees do not have all the information which is necessary to do so. Open communication is, therefore, crucial to ensure proper organizational function (Phillips, 1993).

Conclusion

A successful organization is possible only if the company actively implements effective communication policies. Effective communication often depends on effective leadership. Effective leadership is possible only when the leader is actively involved in company proceedings; values the opinions of employees; and mandates open and fair communication. These leadership methods were implemented by Abraham Lincoln, who is considered to be the strongest leader the U.S. has ever had. His strategies are more than a century old, but are just as effective today as they were in 1860. Not only are these methods tried and tested, they are crucial to health and survival of any organization competing in the business world today.

Bibliography

Belz, H. (1998). Abraham Lincoln, Constitutionalism, and Equal Rights in the Civil War Era. Fordham University Press.

Phillips, D. T. (1993). Lincoln on Leadership: Executive strategies for tough times. New York, NY: Time Warner.