Download Running head: EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVE

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Running head: EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
Effective Leadership:
Lincoln and Kennedy
Full Name
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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