Look to Lincoln
Ready — Abraham Lincoln is one of North America's greatest leaders. He admitted what he didn’t know about military strategy and made it a point to read military manuals, consult advisors, and ask wise questions.
Set — His search for generals who would fight an offensive war rather than a defensive one reveals lessons for every leader. Lincoln grew in his ability to choose and place the right generals as the Civil War progressed. He learned to . . .
Be Patient with People, but Not Passive: Lincoln showed remarkable patience with underperforming generals like George B. McClellan. He allowed time for growth, development, and potential to emerge, but also knew when patience must give way to action.
Make the Hard Calls When Necessary: Lincoln made the difficult decision to remove some generals when they failed to take initiative. He knew that replacing them for the sake of the mission was needed.
Work with Political Realities: Lincoln realized removing a particular general might hurt the morale of the nation. He balanced the need of the mission with the facts of life in the larger nation.
Align with the Right People: Lincoln promoted Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, and George G. Meade who delivered results. Their partnership thrived because they shared the same perspectives.
Maintain Clear Objectives: Lincoln remained clear on the objective of defeating the Confederate army. He looked for generals who understood the importance of defeating the enemy.
Grow! — Abraham Lincoln’s leadership wasn’t perfect, but it was principled, humble, and courageous. Today’s leaders—whether in churches, nonprofits, or businesses—can learn from his ability to place and replace leaders to accomplish the organization’s mission.
Two Questions
Are the right people in the right places in your organization?
How might you align with the right people to accomplish your organization’s mission?