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Leadership Theory Introduction The book Lincoln on Leadership written by Donald T. Phillips is evidently one of the most interesting books as it embraces not only the basic truths for all people, who want to become managers, and leaders, but also describes leadership strategies derived from the life of one of the most famous U. S. Presidents. This book presents a thorough and in-depth discussion of Abraham Lincoln leadership principles and strategies from the many sources and reliable details available concerning Lincoln's life. Each chapter of the book describes a specific leadership strategy used by Abraham Lincoln, and provides the readers with actual examples and illustrations on how the 16 th president was developing, and shaping these strategies that allowed him to choose the most successful leadership strategy and handle his responsibility.
The author presents and explains the basic ideas and methods as well as the results obtained by Lincoln with the help of these strategies. Although the book is relatively short, it is rich in fresh and old ideas that allows the reader to find an inspiring source of education on leadership, and makes the book a delightful and quick read. Lincoln on Leadership Indeed, there are many theories on leadership, as well as there are many theorists and philosophers, who assert that their theory of leadership is the only correct one. However, it seems that all of them have much in common, as the leadership is an important trait of human character that plays a decisive role in any vitally important situation, when two and more people pursue the common goal. The ability and talent to become a leader is an essential skill the person needs to learn as soon as possible in order to succeed in his life.
Indeed, there are too many books dedicated to the leadership and to the lives of the most famous citizens of our country; many talented writers and many famous philosophers were trying to achieve a clear understanding of what does the person need in order to become a real leader. The most comprehensive definition of leadership is, probably, one from the book by James MacGregor Burns, leadership is leaders inducing followers to act for certain goals that represent the values and the motivations the wants and needs, the aspirations and expectations of both leaders and followers. And, the genius of leadership lies in the manner in which leaders see and act on their own and their followers values and motivations (Burns, 1978) Evidently, Donald T. Phillips was inspired by Abraham Lincolns life in his Lincoln on Leadership, as the author tried to create more than just a book - he created the guidebook for managers written by a manager who managed to successfully implement all these great techniques into his own life and professional career. Instead of making the book a usual and a little bit dull, sophisticated reading, the author allows Lincoln to speak for himself, as Donald T. Philips doesnt lecture about the president, but uses plenty of Lincoln's quotations, sayings, excerpts from his speeches, letters, jokes, and anecdotes, thus providing an enjoyable glimpse into the character of the strongest American leader.
In his book Donald T. Philips discovers Lincoln's secrets of leadership, such as to seize the initiative and never relinquish it, to wage only one war at a time, to encourage risk-taking and at the same time to provide job security, to avoid issuing orders and to issue requests instead, to imply and to make suggestions, and many other important techniques and strategies that are essential for any person, who either wants to discover the leadership strategies, or simply to perfect his own. This book is not only yet another book about a leadership and leadership theory. Many talented philosophers were trying to define which traits are important in order to become a leader, and which things the person may neglect or should avoid in order to win. Some scholars, who discuss leadership strategies, consider that leadership theories seem to fail, as there are too few leaders in the world, despite of an abundance of books devoted to the strategies and theories of leadership. Some of the scholars consider that these failures are rather not the crisis, but a chance to discover new opportunities and possibilities, and, in case the person will manage to discover the real leaders, or to become a leader himself, the future will run for him.
Donald T. Philips by the example of Abraham Lincoln inspires the thought that it is important to realize that there are many potential leaders who can become the real ones, because to be the real leader is not as difficult as it may seem to be. Although many philosophers and scholars undertake efforts to discover the secrets of leadership, as well as to develop the theories of leadership, it seems that only few of them try to find out which personal traits and qualities the person may need to become a leader. In contrast to all these authors, Donald T. Philips uncovers the secrets of leadership by the example of the 16 th president of the United States. Among other things the book offers the theory of leadership, according to which a successful leader requires at least three important things - to ensure the support of other people, to have the skills of listening to the others, and to have a high opinion of other people.
All these traits are very important for the leader. Lincoln on Leadership tells the readers how to develop all these qualities, and, moreover, this book tells about the so-called potential dangers. Among other things, the book uncovers the most essential sides of the leadership style, and describes numerous leadership qualities peculiar to Lincoln, who was the man of great honesty and integrity. Donald T. Philips reminds the readers that Lincoln was called the Honest Abe, and combined this feature with his skill to be compassionate and direct at the same time, thus setting himself apart from many other leaders. Lincoln, being a leader, wasn't afraid of competition, and, on contrary, did all his best to provide his staff with all possible opportunities for growth and advancement in their careers.
Lincoln also offered an outstanding support for all his staff to develop into the types of leaders Lincoln required. Yet another important trait of character that made Lincoln the most powerful leader in the United States, was his desire to learn and to feel himself prepared for all difficulties, dangers, challenges, and everything he could face during his presidency and professional career. Taking into account all these things, Lincoln on Leadership offers five important points that are the must for the leaders, such as: The leaders are encouraged to leave their offices and workplaces in order to interact with their working teams, in the team's work environment; The leaders should be the people of great integrity and honesty; The leaders should undertake all efforts to provide coaching for their personnel and to provide the staff with all possible opportunities for professional and personal growth. At the same time, the leaders should balance the necessity to provide coaching and feedback to their personnel with the ability to transition personnel that are unable to get in alignment with the leader's vision (Phillips, 1993); The leaders need to be compassionate and, among other things, should show understanding for their personnel, both professionally and personally; The leaders should have the desire to learn, and to be responsible for all their actions, as well as to be prepared and able to think on their feet. Donald T.
Philips within the frameworks of his book examines the conceptions of leader and leadership, and considers that this knowledge will allow the readers to understand the specifics of leadership more thoroughly. So, as we have already found out, the term 'leader' is referred to the person who has strength enough to manipulate and control other people. Indeed, the very meaning of this word reflects the so-called predestination of the person, who wants to become a leader, along with his place and role he plays in the society, the processes he is responsible for, and the functions of leader in general. By the example of Abraham Lincoln Donald T. Philips explains that in case to examine the leadership qualities more carefully, the leader has the ability to influence other people and to encourage them work together in order to achieve specific goals. The leader should have the exceptional feeling of responsibility, as he is the authoritative member of social group, whose power and legal authority are voluntary recognized by other members of society, who are ready to follow the leader and to assist him in achieving common goals.
In such a way, Donald T. Philips in his book embraces the most important concepts of leadership, and explains that the leader itself as an objective and universal phenomenon in society is natural and even necessary, because any kind of mutual activity requires an appropriate organization process, and the development of rational and appropriate methods to reach the mutual goals by the most effective way. Therefore, the functions of leader are usually fulfilled by the people, who enjoy the trust and support of the social groups. Leaders should be active and energetic persons able to make people believe in common goal and to make the people undertake all possible efforts to achieve...
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Research essay sample on Desire To Learn Abraham Lincoln
