Lincoln’s Lesson: Why Great Leaders Share Hope, Even in Crisis

The war was raging.

The nation was deeply divided.

Lincoln was President, and he was doing his best to navigate the conflict.

In his day, he would leave the White House to walk to various hospitals, visiting the wounded and interacting with citizens.

One particular day, he was walking down the street, having left the White House.

A group of people recognized that it was the President.

He paused, greeted them, and told them several humorous stories.

A senator saw all of this unfold, grew angry, and approached Lincoln.

“Sir, how dare you stand here telling jokes and stories while there’s a war happening? Men are dying, and you’re here laughing with people.”

Lincoln slowly raised his head and turned to face the senator.

The President locked eyes with the senator and said, “Sir, do you think the trials of the war weigh more heavily on you than they do on me? Would you rather the President walk the streets with a sullen and depressed face, or should I greet people with a smile and a story? In these times, I believe in hope.”

Lincoln had a point.

When the President walks the streets greeting people, he needs to be smiling, encouraging, and ready with a few stories to tell. He does not need to project gloom, doom, and sorrow.

Welcome to leadership. The same is true for you.

Did your company have a tough quarter? What do you think will benefit the team more—walking the halls angry and demanding, or stopping by offices and cubicles, taking a moment to share a story and some encouragement?

How you carry yourself as a leader will either infuse confidence and hope or instill fear and despair.

Lincoln didn’t have his head buried in the sand. He knew the stakes were high, and people knew he carried a heavy load.

Please don’t think I’m encouraging you to bury your head and ignore the issues your company is facing.

Address the hurdles.

Be clear in your action.

But then, you must carry yourself in a manner that communicates you believe the company can win.

Be that kind of leader, and your team will go the extra mile.

They’ll start to believe they can win.

When that happens, nothing can stop your success.

Intersecting life, luxury, and leadership,
Chris Adams