2018: Book #41
“During his four years as president Abraham Lincoln spent most of his time among the troops. They were number one to him; they were the people who were going to get the job done.”
Powerful words written by Donald T. Phillips in his book, “Lincoln On Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times.”
This is a must read for every leader and anyone who desires to lead. Read this book!
Here are some more powerful quotes and lessons from the book:
“Leadership often involves parenting, and Lincoln’s fatherly tendencies aided him in his position as president. The organization is the family; the leader is the head of the family. Consequently, leaders often nurture and guide subordinates much as parents do children.”
“Pettiness, spite, and vengeance are emotional reactions considered to be beneath the dignity of a leader. Followers expect their leaders to rise above such demeaning and degrading activity.”
“As president, Lincoln learned that, no matter what he did, there was going to be people who would not be pleased.”
“Contemporary corporate executives constantly worry about how to keep a fire lit under their employees. They must continually motivate, cajole, and persuade. But no one should have to worry about lighting a fire under great leaders. They don’t need it if they are like Lincoln. His fire was always burning.”
I loved this book. Not just because it was about Lincoln. The book is practical. Phillips makes Lincoln’s leadership practical: because Lincoln did this…so can you.
There is a major flaw from the author. Phillips almost treats Lincoln as infallible. Lincoln was flawed. He ignored his wife. He needed to move faster on staff changes. He was full of inappropriate jokes, and so on. What Phillips fails to recognize is what is most important about Lincoln to me: a deeply flawed person can change the world. Even so, I highly recommend this book.
5 out of 5 stars.
That’s book #41 for 2018.
11 more books to go before I reach 52 for the year.
Remember, all leaders are readers.
If you want to be a better leader…be a reader.
#52in2018
