| Lincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times | 
 enlarge | Author: Donald T. Phillips
Publisher: Warner Books, Inc.
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
Buy New: $3.98
You Save: $9.97 (71%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (69 reviews)
Sales Rank: 5192
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 188
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.6
ISBN: 0446394599
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.7092
EAN: 9780446394598
ASIN: 0446394599
Publication Date: February 1, 1993
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
With its emphasis on the rights and power of the individual, Lincoln on Leadership is destined to become the must-have handbook for executives in the nineties.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 64 more reviews...
 Read this book first! September 10, 2008
This book is a must read for anyone having a position that includes leadership responsibilities. Regardless how long you've been in that position this book is absolutely indispensable! You will have tips and insights for improving your leadership skills right from the start. This is the best investment I've made in improving my leadership skills by far.
Lincoln on Leadership: A Fantastic and Helpful Read April 15, 2008
Donald T. Phillips did a terrific job with this book and provided valuable insight into the excellent executive leadership of President Lincoln. Virtually every American learns about Abraham Lincoln throughout his/her childhood, but specific situations and conversations are rarely provided as examples. Fortunately, Phillips provides these examples and proves that Lincoln was definitely one of the best presidents in United States history.
As a student in college who is majoring in communications, I believe that the book is also very applicable to situations in people's lives today. Although most people do not become president, they do encounter various situations in which they are asked to lead other people or follow the direction of another person. After reading this book, a person can easily understand the traits and qualities necessary for quality leadership and can therefore implement them into everyday situations in the real world. In addition to this possibility, people may also be able to evaluate the prospective leadership qualities of a superior authority and determine the legitimacy of their direction.
I especially enjoyed the chapter regarding President Lincoln's integrity that never allowed him to act out of spite or vengeance. Many people in charge of companies, organizations, or any other types of groups are often vindictive or downright nasty. Consequently, the followers in these groups do not respond positively and commonly perform at a lower level. Lincoln understood this reality completely and made sure to treat virtually all people sincerely and respectfully. Moreover, Lincoln also comprehended that partaking in spiteful encounters with people only hindered achievement of positive goals. As Phillips stated at the outset of the chapter, "Lincoln understood that to actively engage in slander and malicious dealings would simply eat up far too much of his time, which he used in securing positive end results than negative ones." Similar insights are present throughout this chapter, and readers should definitely take this useful information and apply it to their lives.
An additional chapter that proved to be very helpful in improving my leadership abilities was the ninth chapter, entitled "Lead by Being Led." Too many authority figures in the world today believe that they are all-knowing and more intelligent than everyone else, no matter what the particular issue proves to be. President Lincoln, however, recognized that many of his cabinet members and employees were very intelligent people who often knew more about particular issues than he did. In fact, Phillips described several situations in which Lincoln trusted in some of his employees so much so that he signed various documents without ever reading them because he trusted their judgment so much. By shedding light on this common leadership flaw, Phillips made me realize that President Bush should read this book and learn to trust the judgment of others, rather than to dismiss advice that he does not agree with.
Ultimately, Lincoln on Leadership was a very educational and entertaining read. Phillips' specific details and examples proved Abraham Lincoln's exceptional leadership qualities. My expectations heading into the book were not very high because I do not even enjoy historical books, but this work turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. I will definitely take several pages out of Lincoln's proverbial leadership book in future situations and my life, and I'm positive that it will be to my benefit.
What all leaders should read April 7, 2008
This book has everything a leader needs to know and use. It is that foundation every leader should have and constantly strive for.
Lincoln is still a leader. October 1, 2007
I selected "Lincoln on Leadership" as a biography to use in a graduate educational administration course and I couldn't have chosen a better book. The organization of the book highlighted leadership qualities that Lincoln exemplified and each chapter had a succinct summary of those leadership skills. Lincoln's leadership is applicable to all types of leadership including education.
Leadership During ALL Times April 27, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Donald T. Phillips used our sixteenth president's wisdom under fire to provide an excellent primer for leadership focused on tough times, but it is as important during good times. When sales are at record levels, employees are happily working long hours, and new prospects are pounding on the doors because of customers' recommendations, is when one needs to be preparing for potential tough times.
Few will go through the meat-grinder which faced President Lincoln, but able leadership during good times will give an organization a firm footing for the mishaps and misfortunes which will affect us all at some point. Focusing on the 'Endeavor' section of the book, Phillips illustrates examples of Lincoln's will, ability, and lack of hesitation in making tough, necessary decisions. Losing a war, being sniped at by those who should be supporters, and struggling with difficult family matters can be paralyzing, but ignoring a personnel issue so as to not rock the boat during a smooth voyage can also be destructive. Phillips points out how "Lincoln often accepted the aggravation and exasperation caused by subordinates if they did their jobs competently", but he also shows how Lincoln could be decisive and tough when his hand was forced. This includes disciplining and firing upper level staff such as cabinet secretaries and commanding generals.
Any review of Lincoln's life would be incomplete without mentioning his use of humor and a unique storytelling ability to make his point. Phillips recounts Lincoln's reason for doing so, which includes these lines: "I often avoid a long and useless discussion by others or a laborious explanation on my own part by a short story that illustrates my point of view." "No, I am not simply a story-teller, but story-telling as an emollient saves me much friction and distress." Oh, if only more of our business and government leaders would use short stories, saving us all some "friction and distress".
The chapter titled "Persuade Rather Than Coerce" explains that Lincoln was smart enough to know that he couldn't do it all by himself, but needed capable leaders who were authorized to make decisions and act on them. His largest problem with military leadership was a gauntlet of generals who were not willing to assume that responsibility. Understanding that influence is a more effective tool of leadership than coercion or orders, he "...preferred to let his generals make their own decisions and hoped that, through his suggestions, they would do the right thing."
That chapter begins with a quote from the first Lincoln Douglas debate: With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed. Consequently he who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions. Looking back at the presidents of my lifetime, it is easy to see which have taken this advice to heart, and have shown success because of it. Likewise, those who have ignored it, and a recent president comes to mind, have had their leadership suffer.
Paraphrasing John C. Maxwell, there is no such thing as `leadership during tough times'; there is only `leadership'. Those fond of history and anyone interested in leadership should read this book.
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