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1 Running head: EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP Effective Leadership: Lincoln and Kennedy Full Name Name of Institution 2 EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP Outstanding leaders have marked all generations. Some of these leaders are written in history and remembered; others may have a strong influence on others but remain behind the scenes, and are not remembered in the same manner. All of these leaders, positive and negative, remembered and forgotten, have contributed to culture and society and have lead the world to its current standing. Two examples of positive leaders, who left their mark on the world and particularly on America, are the former presidents, Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. Effective Leaders Both Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy exercised effective leadership. This has been demonstrated through their fame and the influence of their words and actions. Abraham Lincoln’s leadership was mainly based on his sincerity of purpose. Abraham Lincoln had a belief: all men are created equal. Lincoln understood that “all men” included people of different colors, and applied to the African Americans in the United States. He therefore exercised his position of leadership as president, to maintain unity and obtain equality for all people, freeing the African American population from the yoke of slavery. His sincerity shone not only through his political coherence, but also through his personal honesty. As Lincoln himself explained, “I have always wanted to deal with everyone I meet candidly and honestly. If I have made any assertion not warranted by facts, and it is pointed out to me, I will withdraw it cheerfully" (Abraham Lincoln, 2010). Lincoln combined his sincerity with teamwork, personal effort, persuasion and the formation of alliances, even with rivals, in exercising effective leadership (Abraham Lincoln, 2010). John F. Kennedy’s manner of leadership differed greatly from Lincoln’s, but was also effective. Kennedy’s leadership stood on the platform of integrity. While John F. Kennedy’s personal and moral integrity has been a controversial subject, his sense of national integrity was clear. This was reflected in his strong stance against communism and in 3 EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP favor of the democratic rights of the nation. He also the importance he placed in integrity through his well remembered appeal: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Together with this integrity, John F. Kennedy possessed great dedication, overcoming personal obstacles such as a difficulty with public speaking, and a strong charisma, both of which contributed to the effectiveness of his leadership (Schoenburg, 2000). Servant-Leaders Both Lincoln and Kennedy fit the model of a servant leader, “skilled communicators who put the people first” (Seven Pillars of Servant Leadership, 2009). The presidency itself is a position not only of leadership, but primarily of service to the nation. Lincoln’s sense of service can be seen in the great lengths he went through to win freedom for the black Americans in spite of his a personal bias against them. He did not establish his position based on personal gain, but on conviction and a sense of serving the nation. This sense of leading by serving was also apparent in his willingness to put aside personal grudges and even unjust treatment in order to work together with his rivals and the opposite political party to achieve the best for the nation (Abraham Lincoln, 2010). Kennedy likewise served the nation, by responding to the needs of the people. The people needed hope and optimism, and he fostered this by formulating and sharing a vision of the future. The people needed security and strong leadership during a time period when the advance of communism was seen as a threat; Kennedy provided this. A notable example lay in his leadership and successful resolution of the October Missile Crisis. The people needed a challenge and a direction, and Kennedy challenged them. He challenged them to be leaders of democracy and freedom. He challenged them to reach the moon and advance in other areas of culture as well. Great Communicators 4 EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP Leadership without communication is impossible. Communication forms a link between the leader and the people that is necessary for the leader to know and meet the needs of the people, guiding them in their reality. Not all leaders are born communicators. Both Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy are examples of men who worked to become effective communicators. Abraham Lincoln had little formal schooling, and a quite life prior to becoming president; he was a naturally quiet man as well (Abraham Lincoln, 2010). Yet as president, he was a very effective communicator, so effective that his speeches continue to be remembered and quoted as well. The Gettysburg Address can be used as an example. This short speech received little attention when first presented, as the audience had been accustomed to longer, more drawn out addresses. Nevertheless, in a time frame of less than two minutes, Lincoln effectively communicated perennial values, movingly addressed the deep wound present in all hearts at the time, and opened a door to the future that would preserve the values and transform the wound (Lincoln, 1863). The effectiveness of this speech was realized after it was given, and continues to be admired today. John F. Kennedy also had to work to become an effective speaker. When beginning, his speeches were monotone, high pitched, fast paced, and difficult to understand because of his regional accent (Schoenburg, 2000). He worked, however, to overcome these difficulties. His effort, combined with his natural charisma, turned him into a very effective and moving orator. His speech “Ich bin ein Berliner,” for example, demonstrates his ability to relate to his audience, and transmit principles and ideas in a realistic and motivating manner. His use of short, effective, and often repeated phrases (Kennedy, 1963) also made the main points of his speeches easily remembered, thus increasing their effect. Legacy 5 EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP Both of these men were great leaders. Both of these men have been remembered, and held up as models of leaders and statesmen. Abraham Lincoln, who was in office during a crucial time in the internal history and consolidation of the United States, has been remembered not only for his speeches and leadership, but also for his legacy. The nature of the United States today, with its multicultural dimension, freedom and sense of equal opportunity, is largely the legacy of Lincoln’s leadership. Kennedy's leadership also had a lasting effect, both nationally and internationally, in spite of his short time in office. This can be seen through the manner in which the nation rose to the challenge of reaching the moon, and continued to challenge themselves along the same lines in the arms race and space race against the USSR. Kennedy’s success in preventing nuclear war between Cuba and the United States also left a lasting impact, leaving the two nations intact and showing that dialogue, even in tense moments, can be effective. His motivation and encouragement, as expressed in his “Ich bin ein Berliner,” and his political stance also effected and inspired other countries to fight for democratic ideals, and can thus be seen as ultimately having had a political impact that contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union. Conclusion In conclusion, both Lincoln and Kennedy reflect the principles and characteristics of timeless leaders. Both exercised effective, value based leadership, through dedication, motivation and communication. Through their leadership, they guided the United States of American through stormy seas, both in terms of internal and external affairs. As a result, they are remembered. They are admired. They are thanked. 6 EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP References Abraham Lincoln: Leadership Lessons. (2010). Squidoo. Retrieved form http://www.squidoo.com/abelincolnleadership Kennedy, John F. (1963). Ich bin ein Berliner. American Rhetoric. Retrieved from http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkberliner.html Lincoln, Abraham. (1863). The Gettysburg Address. American Rhetoric. Retrieved from http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/gettysburgaddress.htm Schoenburg, Philip E. (2000). John F. Kennedy on leadership. The Presidential Expert. Retrieved from http://www.presidentialexpert.com/leadership_john_f_kennedy.html Seven Pillars of Servant Leadership. (2009). Slide Share. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/sevenpillarsofservantleadership/seven-pillars-of-servantleadership-leaderserve-model Taffinder, Paul. (2007). Leadership Crash Course. Retrieved from http://www.leadershipcrashcourse.com/cc_seventypes.html