President Lincoln’s leadership continues to impress
This month marks the 206th birthday of America’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln’s life and hard times continue to inspire generation after generation of leaders and followers so much that 150 years after his death Honest Abe is still one of the most important individuals in the history of the United States.
Lincoln’s story is especially important for small business owners. Every day along the business ownership continuum, from startup to locking up for the last time, Main Street merchants can draw strength and inspiration from the uncomplicated and honest witness of Lincoln’s character.
But, ironically, beyond his leadership record, we’re perhaps more inspired by how he persevered in the face of painful adversity and professional failures. Consider this partial list of Lincoln’s life challenges:
• Failed in business in 1831 and 1833
• Defeated for state legislator in 1832
• Fiancee died in 1835
• Had a nervous breakdown in 1836
• Ran for Congress in 1843 and ’48; lost both races
• Ran for the Senate in 1855 and ’59; lost both races
• Ran for Vice President in 1856 and lost
• Buried two of his four beloved sons
• Elected President in 1860 as America’s house divided and dissolved into “a great civil war”
Reading this list, one is overwhelmed by two emotions:
1. Sadness - that any one person would experience so many unfortunate things;
2. Admiration - that in the face of such adversity, anyone could accomplish so much.
Nine years after critics wrote him off as a political player, Lincoln accomplished leadership feats and professional successes that were nothing short of heroic. And for these, history recognizes him as one of America’s greatest presidents.
As 2015 unfolds, if you’re ever tempted to slump into a self-involved pity party because the marketplace licked the red off your candy, go back and reread Lincoln’s failures and setbacks. This time you might feel two other emotions:
1. Shame - that you allowed yourself to lapse into a funk;
2. Renewed perseverance – now realizing that, like Lincoln, as long as you’re alive, every new day you show up to work on your business and life could be the day you turn the corner and win the war.
Lincoln taught us that often the difference between bold accomplishment and painful setback is the courage, character and diligence to persevere.
Write this on a rock …
There is no better model of courage, character and perseverance than Abraham Lincoln. Let his life inspire yours.
