As a continual student of leadership and constantly reading, watching, listening, and doing, I have been reflecting on how and why am I motivated and gifted to be a leader and entrepreneur? One of my greatest leadership examples, aside from Jesus Christ himself, is President Lincoln. How could I not be interested in the leadership style as well as the perseverance of President Lincoln…right? Take a look below at events in his life that most of us would quit. Maybe it is here that Winston Churchill reflected to come up with his “Never Give In” speech?
| YEAR | SETBACKS | SUCCESSES |
| 1832 | Lost job Defeated for state legislature |
Elected company captain of Illinois militia in Black Hawk War |
| 1833 | Failed in business | Appointed postmaster of New Salem, Illinois Appointed deputy surveyor of Sangamon County |
| 1834 | Elected to Illinois state legislature | |
| 1835 | Sweetheart died | |
| 1836 | Had nervous breakdown | Re-elected to Illinois state legislature (running first in his district) Received license to practice law in Illinois state courts |
| 1837 | Led Whig delegation in moving Illinois state capital from Vandalia to Springfield Became law partner of John T. Stuart |
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| 1838 | Defeated for Speaker | Nominated for Illinois House Speaker by Whig caucus Re-elected to Illinois House (running first in his district) Served as Whig floor leader |
| 1839 | Chosen presidential elector by first Whig convention Admitted to practice law in U.S. Circuit Court |
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| 1840 | Argues first case before Illinois Supreme Court Re-elected to Illinois state legislature |
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| 1841 | Established new law practice with Stephen T. Logan | |
| 1842 | Admitted to practice law in U.S. District Court | |
| 1843 | Defeated for nomination for Congress | |
| 1844 | Established own law practice with William H. Herndon as junior partner | |
| 1846 | Elected to Congress | |
| 1848 | Lost re-nomination | (Chose not to run for Congress, abiding by rule of rotation among Whigs.) |
| 1849 | Rejected for land officer | Admitted to practice law in U.S. Supreme Court Declined appointment as secretary and then as governor of Oregon Territory |
| 1854 | Defeated for U.S. Senate | Elected to Illinois state legislature (but declined seat to run for U.S. Senate) |
| 1856 | Defeated for nomination for Vice President | |
| 1858 | Again defeated for U.S. Senate | |
| 1860 | Elected President |
Albeit Lincoln is a great historical figure and I believe there is a lot to be absorbed from his style there is still the option of leadership being “caught.” By being caught I mean learning from people around you. I “caught” leadership, drive, perseverance, Love for the Lord, hard work and the value of a dollar from my father, Joseph Reichenberger. He IS a quiet man and leads by silence and is good at it. When my brother and I were kids all my mom had to say is wait till your father gets home. We knew we were screwed and yes we did receive spankings and we deserved every one and yes we are good people because of the course correction. Most of the time he would come home and I would cower and tell him what I did and that I was either stupid or sorry or both and 9 out 10 times that was the lesson. He taught us by saying and doing very little because he quietly taught us accountability that would reflect in each of us our whole lives.
What is it that YOU are “TEACHING” other around you weather it is co-workers, family or children? When you walk circumspectly, others will follow. Have an ethical and moral true north and always course correct to stay on track and you will become the leader you want to be!
