Management, Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Latin America.: The New Land of Opportunity - the Real Leaders in the Global Economy.

By Dr. Librado Enrique Gonzalez

Latin America, a region that is constantly recognized as one of the top economies in the world,
is growing at an amazing rate. Although Latin America is doing very good, it is facing a severe problemthe local talent is not receiving the correct attention. Every time I talk to managers of large multinational corporations and professors about the talent and human resources in Latin America, I always seem to find a consensus: most of the local talent is not well trained.
According to them, key positions inside mid and largesized companies are rarely occupied by local talent. Corporations fill the hole with foreign talent which is more expensive and difficult to find. This could be Latin Americas Achilles heel.
I personally understand that developing Leadership, Management skills and Entrepreneurship
takes time, and that in some cases, that time will be wasted, but it amuses me how some companies complain about the talent and they dont take the time to develop it. They rely
on employees from other companies to fill the empty spots.
Companies in Latin America need to start working proactively and not reactively.

Over the last 10 years, economic growth averaged 4.2%, and 70 million people escaped poverty. Macroeconomic stability, open-trade policies and pro-business investment climates have supported and will continue to support strong growth in the years to come. Crucially, economic gains are being broadly shared. Latin America grew by 50 million people between 2003 and 2009, an increase of 50%. For a region long riven by wealth inequality, this is a remarkable achievement.

The importance of family and personal relationships also impacts the workplace. For example, it is more common in Latin America to seek employment with family members, hire family members, and look to the family for help in times of need. In addition, many Latin Americans feel more comfortable doing business with people they know personally, and developing that relationship is often considered an essential first step. Americans who try to move things along more quickly and get to the point may become frustrated and/or offend Latin Americans. This means that establishing business contacts and closing deals are best done in person, and may take more time than is customary in the U.S.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491874790

Dr. Librado Enrique Gonzalez

Dr. Librado E. Gonzalez, is a Global Human Resources and Operations Professional with track record of hands-on human resources operations, experienced in a multi-unit and multi-national environment. With over 23 years of experience in the field. His educational background comes from a MBA at University of Barcelona, Doctorate of Law at British American University, and a Ph.D. in Management from La Salle University, alone with Mediation Certifications from Duke University and Washington University. He is a Certified Executive Coach, a Master Six Sigma Black Belt Certified and Lean Certified Trainer. He is a Certified Project Management Expert by University of Louisville. He has held executive positions within private and government organizations. He has been a Business and Law Professor for Towson University, State University of New York, Empire State College, Laurel University, Northern California University, Universidad Latina and Catawba Valley Community College. He has been a guess speaker for private and government agencies in the U.S., Latin America, Europe and Asia. He is the author of “How to Understand Communication” 2005; “The Issues Management Book” 2008 and now “How to Become an Extraordinary Manager” 2011. “Human Resources Development in Panama” Florida International University 2014. Latin America research project on "attributes for teaching effectiveness" in collaboration with Tampa University 2013.

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Published by AuthorHouse 03/24/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4918-7480-6 (sc)

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This book is gratefully dedicated to my children Lesley Mireya, Meredith Daniela and Alexandra Marie. My wife Lesley Paola and mother Mireya Rosa. My students and supporters of their time and knowledge to make the book a reality. To all of them, Thank you!

INTRODUCTION

Latin America, a region that is constantly recognized as one of the top economies in the world, is growing at an amazing rate. Although Latin America is doing very good, it is facing a severe problem—the local talent is not receiving the correct attention. Every time I talk to managers of large multinational corporations and professors about the talent and human resources in Latin America, I always seem to find a consensus: most of the local talent is not well trained.

According to them, key positions inside mid and largesized companies are rarely occupied by local talent. Corporations fill the hole with foreign talent which is more expensive and difficult to find. This could be Latin America’s Achilles’ heel.

I personally understand that developing Leadership, Management skills and Entrepreneurship takes time, and that in some cases, that time will be wasted, but it amuses me how some companies complain about the talent and they don’t take the time to develop it. They rely on employees from other companies to fill the empty spots.

Companies in Latin America need to start working proactively and not reactively.

Over the last 10 years, economic growth averaged 4.2%, and 70 million people escaped poverty. Macroeconomic stability, open-trade policies and pro-business investment climates have supported and will continue to support strong growth in the years to come. Crucially, economic gains are being broadly shared. Latin America grew by 50 million people between 2003 and 2009, an increase of 50%. For a region long riven by wealth inequality, this is a remarkable achievement.

The importance of family and personal relationships also impacts the workplace. For example, it is more common in Latin America to seek employment with family members, hire family members, and look to the family for help in times of need. In addition, many Latin Americans feel more comfortable doing business with people they know personally, and developing that relationship is often considered an essential first step. Americans who try to move things along more quickly and get to the point may become frustrated and/or offend Latin Americans. This means that establishing business contacts and closing deals are best done in person, and may take more time than is customary in the U.S.

CARLOS SLIM

An Example Of Leadership

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I.    Introduction: Profile of a Leader

a.    Background information

b.    Business Career

c.    Forbes Richest Man of the World

II.    Leading the Organization

a.    Decision Making

b.    Management of Change / Adaptability

c.    Business Skills and Knowledge

III.    Leading the Self

a.    Leadership Stature

b.    Drive and Purpose

c.    Ethics and Integrity

IV.    Comparing Experiences—Leading Others

a.    Communicating Effectively

b.    Developing others

c.    Valuing Diversity and Difference

d.    Building and Maintaining Relationships

V.    Conclusion

I.   Introduction: Profile of a Leader

Born within the borders of Mexico, Carlos Slim Helu has become one of the most influential leadership figures in the globe. Although he is not as popular as the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, Slim actions in the business world are becoming more recognized than ever before. Owner of several successful companies majorly in America where Telmex and America Movil stand out, Slim Helu has been named by Forbes Magazine the richest man in the world for four consecutive years (Carlos Slim & family, 2013). In addition to his status as one of the most important and rich entrepreneurs around the world, Slim’s business career consists of a great portfolio of businesses, and a big percentage of shares from prominent companies where he has invest greatly. Combining all these, Carlos Slim and family wealth reaches an incredible number of $73 billion, according to Forbes Magazine (Kroll, L. & Dolan, K., 2013). Therefore, his successful career as a businessman reflects Slim’s good leadership skills and powerful influence in the business setting.

Carlos Slim current success in the business world is a collection of good decision making, a strong character and competency. Although his formal education was focused on civil engineering instead of business, according to writer Kerry Dolan (2012) he learned all the basic knowledge about business from his father Julian Slim from who Slim Helu worked throughout his adolescence. Based on what his father taught him, Carlos Slim started to buy shares in several businesses in order to gain capital for his future investments. With this in mind, in his way to become a successful and young entrepreneur, Slim at his 25 developed Carso Group (Grupo Carso) which incorporated three of his businesses: Inversora Bursatil, Jarritos del Sur and Inmobiliaria Carso (Biographical Overview, n.d). After this, he start a process of acquiring several companies to add to his conglomerate (Carso Group), which resulted in increasing its capital and liquidity of the group.

All these events represented an initial stage in Slim’s business career which was essential for his success. Adding all the businesses that form Carso Group, the purchased of Telmex and then America Movil increased Slim’s net worth to $10.8 billion in the early 1990s (Dolan, K. A., 2012). This last acquisition, America Movil which is a Mexico-based company primarily engaged in the provision of wireless communications services in Latin America has been the key to the increase of Slim’s wealth during the last decade (America Movil, 2013). Furthermore, as mention in his webpage, due to the great quantity of businesses acquired by Slim, he has left most of the boards of his companies, and currently serves as: Chairman of the Board of Directors of Impulsora del Desarrollo y el Empleo en América Latina, S.A. de C.V. (IDEAL); Chairman of Fundación Telmex, A.C.; Chairman of Fundación Carlos Slim Helú, A.C.; Chairman of the Executive Committee of Consejo Consultivo de Restauración del Centro Histórico; and Chairman of Fundación del Centro Histórico, A.C. (Biography Overview, n.d), explaining his current focus on philanthropy which is his second passion besides business.

Based on the long trajectory of Carlos Slim in the business setting, his success in different industries such as telecommunications, real state, finance, retailing, mining among others, and his incredible billion dollar wealth give him the first position in Forbes Magazine ranking of the richest men in the world and 11th position among the most powerful people. Slim’s profile of 2013 in Forbes Magazine as the #1 billionaire in the world summarizes his current occupation in the business field as following:

"Carlos Slim Helu is the world’s richest man for the fourth year in a row. He clocks in at $4 billion more than a year ago, thanks to surging stock prices at his financial arm, Grupo Financiero Inbursa, and at his Grupo Carso industrial and retail giant. Pan-Latin American mobile telecom outfit America Movil remains his most valuable holding at $36.3 billion . . . Slim does not hold an executive position at any of the companies he controls, but remains engaged and advises on strategy. He put his sons, Carlos, Marco Antonio and Patrick, in charge of the industrial, finance and telecom companies he controls." (Carlos Slim & family, 2013)

Explaining how Carlos Slim, although still increasing his wealth, is leaving the control of the companies to his family and shifting into a more altruistic path. This a direct result of his great interest on education, health and employment issues in Mexico and Latin America, which Slim assists through his foundations.

II.   Leading the Organization

In order to be successful and become a leader in the business setting, a set of skills, knowledge, good decision making and flexibility are essential. In the case of the engineer Carlos Slim, his performance as a leader is reflected by the success of his companies and the great list of awards and recognitions that are a result of his entrepreneurial spirit. First of all, Slim’s decision making has been characterized by an efficient examination and comparison of possibilities, and choosing the venture that brings the greater benefits as a whole. A good illustration of Slim’s good decision making in the business setting would be the acquisition of the telecommunication company America Movil which stands for the major unwired services provider in Latin America… have 319 million of internet access in the continent, 255.9 millions are mobile-phone users, it have 30.3 million of fixed lines, 16.7 millions of broad band access and 15.8 millions of TV subscribers in the whole American hemisphere (Business Activity, n.d). By deciding to pursue the incorporation of America Movil to his list of companies, Slim increase his wealth by half becoming one of the most richest and powerful men in the world.

In addition, the long period that Carlos Slim has been in the business setting (since early 1960s) as an entrepreneur shows his high levels of adaptability and how he has successfully managed change. A good example of how Slim effectively managed change was in the year 1962, when Mexico was facing an economic crisis and the country’s finances and banking system were highly harmed. This did not interrupt Slim’s business actions; at the contrary, during this period he and Carso Group invest heavily many Mexican ventures and acquired many companies (Biographical Overview, n.d). As cited in A Conversation with Carlos Slim (2012) in Leaders Magazine, Slim states that we have a long-term vision, resources, and a healthy company so there are always opportunities to be found in difficult times (p.10), explaining how he still sees possibilities and take risks in moments of change. Hence, he adapted to Mexico’s economic situation and saw the crisis as an opportunity for investment and growth instead of a problem.

But, in order to bring up good decisions to the table and adapt successfully to different social and economic situations faced in the business setting, Slim had first to develop his own business skills and knowledge. Although Carlos Slim turns out not to be a common businessmen whose basic knowledge comes from a business degree, his basic knowledge came from the teachings of his father, Julian Slim and enhance them by his own experiences in the business setting. Explaining how Slim got the basic knowledge of business his website mentions the following:

He also received his first business lessons in early childhood, as Don Julián gave each of his children a savings book with their usual weekly allowance in order for them to learn to manage their income and expenses. They reviewed this book with him, analyzing their expenses, purchases and activities, and by following this rule Don Julián’s children managed their finances and developed their own wealth. For that time investment and savings were part of young Carlos’s life, becoming his first lesson in business, which he soon put into practice by opening his first checking account and buying shares of Banco Nacional de México when he was only 12 years old. (Biographical Overview, n.d)

In addition, most of his skills in business come from previous learning and his experience in the business field. In one hand, his knowledge and interest in teaching mathematics gave Slim important skills for the management of the companies’ finances. On the other hand, his experiences in the business setting make him able to enhance his business skills by putting them in practice. Thus, from his position he is able to implement important leadership skills such as multiple focusing in the extensive list of ventures that he and his family owns.

III.   Leading the Self

In the life of Carlos Slim the word leadership is not only apply in a business sense, but is also applies to his leadership actions outside the business setting. Therefore, Slim’s leadership stature is divided into his importance in the business world and his contribution to society, mostly to the Latin-American region. In one hand, Slim exhibit leadership stature in the business setting through having conviction in his ventures, making ventures happen and taking risks when performing business actions. A good illustration of Slim stature as a leader is that although at present he has left the majority of the board of his companies, he is still part of the business activities and an essential part of the decisions related to new acquisitions. Meaning that he still represents the head of the business empire he had constructed and a figure of wisdom and inspiration for his subordinates.

On the other hand, in the philanthropy field, Slim’s leadership stature is of great importance in the Latin-American community. His drive for helping the Latin-American region in the fields of health, education and employment, has become the main purpose for Slim and his foundations. As Slim mentions to Leaders Magazine, years, we are always looking at programs that have national impact and do not duplicate activities that others are already undertaking (p.11, 2012), explaining how his foundations decide what areas to support and how he applies decision making outside the business field. For instance, Slim leadership stature is characterized by standing for the principle that anything you own is taken when passed away, then the importance of using what you get from business ventures to reinvest into social problems. In Slim own words considered us to be temporary managers of our businesses. We work to reinvest because the experience of the businessman is so important to solving social problems (A conversation with Carlos Slim, 2012, p.11), which shows his great capacity of leadership management outside and inside the business field.

At last, Carlos Slim is considered one of the most integrate businessman. This is a result of his loyalty to the principles of his companies, mostly the Carso Group that has been part of him for more than 40 years. Among the 10 principles that comprehend Carso Group, many are very close to Slim’s personal principles. Principle number 10 which states our premise is and has always been that we leave with nothing; that we can only do things while we are alive and that businessmen are creators of the wealth they temporarily manage (Business Activity, n.d), can be consider the closest principle to Slim and what he uses as a motivation for to perform his actions in an ethical manner.

IV.   Comparing Experiences—Leading Others

Clearly, Carlos Slim Helu at his 73 years has more experiences in leadership and business than any college student. However, after having a small taste of knowledge in relation to leadership competency, a plan of what experiences I would evidence in regards to leadership can be addressed. In one hand, based on the success that Slim had building strong and long-term companies, it can be said that he has communicate effectively with his subordinates in order to achieve objectives and goals. Hence, Slim has to be using a proactive focus towards effective communication throughout his business career. This means, seeking first to understand and then to be understood, being empathic and understand before influencing. In my case, as to Carlos Slim, having a proactive focus in order to communicate with others from a leadership position is essential. Also, is important to always use confrontation as a crucial positive tool for leader’s approach towards communication.

Furthermore, an essential aspect of leadership relies on developing others. For instance, leaders allow people to be themselves, grow and provide direction to develop the fundamental knowledge and skills to perform a role. For Carlos Slim this aspect has been very important throughout his career. This has been the whole purpose of creating several foundations such as Carlos Slim Foundation and Telmex Foundation and giving employment to more than 250,000 employees. In my case, the experience of developing others from a leader position would be similar to Slim. Although he is capable of developing a large group of persons due his resources, I would share important knowledge with my subordinates and give them access to seminars and conferences in order to enhance their skills.

In addition, another important aspect of the whole experience of being a leader is working with different people from diverse backgrounds. For Carlos Slim, valuing diversity and difference seems to be a must due to all the countries that cover its great list of companies. For example, America Movil which has presence in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Mexico, gathers a diverse workforce which includes different cultures and languages. Thus, Slim clearly values diversity and considers it an important aspect of his leadership approach. In my experience, diversity has been an important aspect of my business career. Coming from a diverse country and having to relate with students with different backgrounds has made me value it greatly. So, my view to a future leadership experience would be to work with a group of diverse people that can bring different ideas and knowledge to the job.

At last, other crucial experience for a leader is building and maintaining relationships. Also, a good leader relates to all communities. In the case of Carlos Slim he has successfully become a leader that relates to all communities such as business, scholar and philanthropy. In addition, in order to create stable companies, Slim had to build strong relationships with his subordinates, investors and stakeholders which are essential for the success of the businesses. In my case, as a senior college student I have a small list of relationships that I had built, but with time and starting my work experience I will be able of building a stronger and greater list of relationships that will be important for a leadership experience.

V.   Conclusion

It conclusion based on the whole discussion about Carlos Slim that he scores a high level of leadership competency: leading the organization, leading the self and leading others. As a whole, this set of skills has contributed to Slim’s superior performance in the business setting as well as a contributor to philanthropy. Taking Slim example, it is important to every college student to develop leadership competencies in order to promote a strong generation of leaders that will not only focus on ventures, but as Carlos Slim: investing in the society and find solutions to its problems.

Abraham Lincoln

A Leader For All Ages

Abstract

To be a great leader you must be extraordinary—the one person that brings in something extra to the ordinary, the common, and the mundane; someone who capable to create and face changes and someone who have the power and/or charisma to influence and inspire followers and listeners through his values, beliefs, and actions. Thus in this paper, the life, qualities, experience and accomplishments of President Abraham Lincoln is reviewed and assessed to categorize him as one of the most prominent man, president, and leader kwon to the United States, to mankind and society. Why would/should today’s leaders be interested in Abraham Lincoln’s life, accomplishments, leadership style and philosophy? Because the accomplishments of Lincolns would be regarded no less than a miracle and because there can be no doubt that Lincoln was and is one of the greatest leaders the United States, and perhaps the world, has yet known and who many exemplify. Regardless of the difference in time periods, he literally outshines many of today’s modern exemplars and leaders.

In short, Lincoln was the man who really knew how to lead—a leader who genuinely had and has something new to offer in his time and now in contemporary business and political leaders. Thus here are some lessons we can learn from his life and accomplishments.

Keywords: Abraham Lincoln, President, great leader, accomplishments, extraordinary, inspire, influence, example, lessons

Introduction to Abraham Lincoln

In the history of the United States we can find many great leaders who made a major impact and changes on the nation and its individuals. Among all these great leaders—Washington, Adams, Jefferson, the Roosevelts, Franklin, Webster, Anthony, and King—Abraham Lincoln is one who stands out from all of them for his character and leadership, for his vision and inspiration, for his speeches and letters, and especially for his determination and perseverance that led him to the nation’s highest office despite being a man from humble origins.

Life and History

Born on February on February 12th, 1809 under humble surroundings and circumstances in Kentucky, Abraham Lincoln grew up in the western frontier with taste for jokes, stories, hard work, and books. He was mostly self-educated, who taught himself law and became a county lawyer and political figure in his younger years. During 1930s Lincoln became member of the Whig Party and held a seat in Illinois state legislature. In the1940s is when he moved from state politics and became one-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Eventually in the mid-1850s, Lincoln left its former political party to join the new Republican Party. In 1858, he lost the election for the U.S. Senate against Senator Stephen Douglas. However, Lincoln’s spectacular performance against Douglas in a series of nationally covered debates made him a contender for the 1860 Republican presidential nomination, which he won (Miller Center).

Chosen as the 16th president of the United States in 1860, Lincoln is well-known for his vital role as a leader during the United States greatest constitutional, military, and moral crises and most defining moment: the Civil War, which lasted for more than four years with a loss of more than 600,000 soldiers dead. When civil war broke out, he took charge as both president and leader in preserving the Union, abolishing slavery, strengthening the national government and modernizing the economy. It was halfway through the war that Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which began the process of ending slavery in the United States. By issuing the Emancipation Proclamation not only freed slaves within the Confederacy but changed the war from a battle to preserve the Union into a battle for both freedom and unity.

Freedom for slaves was not legally declared until 1865 with the passage of the Thirtieth Amendment with Lincoln starting his second-term presidency after being re-elected in 1865. It was through and thanks to him that the American concept of government and the true essence of its constitution were preserved during the most difficult period in the nation’s history. Lincoln was assassinated in April 1865, less than a week after the surrender of Confederate force.

Note: Professor, this part is all about historical facts and literature review and I tried to paraphrase them as well as I could. If it comes out as plagiarism, I can’t do much in changing historic information. (Information and Facts obtained http://millercenter.org/president/lincoln/essays/biography/1)

Lincoln—A Leader for All Ages

Leadership Role and Functions

Accomplishments and Changes Beyond As President

There are many challenges when it comes to defining leadership as well as all the characteristics and qualities that make for a great leader. This is because of the many contexts and circumstances (politics, business, military, culture, society, community and family) the word itself and people face when trying to come with a specific and clear definition. In addition, the views, ideas and perceptions of leadership have been evolving overtime in hand with the evolution and progression of the world and history.

Despite the never ending changes of our world and its increasing complexity arising from a variety state of affairs, we can find throughout history and time many prominent people who not only have faced those changes but who have made changes and/or who have played a major part in those changes. How? By becoming and being leaders who have impacted and influenced the world through their values, beliefs, words and actions. And Abraham Lincoln is one these leaders who faced, managed and created changes, who is considered one of the greatest throughout time and history, and who as a president of the United States has left a great legacy and example to follow not only for his country but for the humankind through his unique leadership style.

During his campaign for presidency in 1860 Lincoln expressed his strong and firm opposition to slavery and its expansion in western territories. Once he won the elections, his resolve on slavery created a crisis in the nation where southern Democrats and citizens supported secession rather than to face a future with black people declared as free citizens of the United States. This secession led to the subsequent division of the country into states pro slavery, called the Confederacy/South, and states against slavery, which were the Union/North. As both parts failed to reach and to find a compromise, civil war broke out.

It was in one of the United States most difficult and defining times that Lincoln not only stepped as a president, but as leader who decided to fight to prevent the nation from splitting apart, and whose commitment to preserving the Union, establishing equal freedom, and vindicating democracy—no matter if it meant war and what consequences it would bring to himself—was strongly ingrained, expressed, and transmitted in and through his vision, belief, actions, and words. With his commitment and belief for unity and freedom, the Union triumphed. At the end, Lincoln managed in the process of saving the Union and killing slavery to define the creation of a more perfect Union in terms of liberty and economic equality that rallied the citizenry behind him (Miller Center).

Furthermore, Lincoln not only managed to preserve the Union and abolish slavery, but managed to bring changes to the President’s role and position as well. He was able to make the President supreme over both Congress and the courts by justifying his powers and decisions as President in time of crisis and war as an emergency authority granted to him by the people, and by reminding them that the President is one of the three parts coordinate departments of the government and by no means a subordinate (Miller Center). As he told to critics: He had been elected to decide when an emergency existed and to take all measures required to deal with it. Thus, through his quest to attain unity and to end slavery, Lincoln didn’t care much in breaking laws and ignoring constitutional provisions, because for him there was no sense in to lose the nation and yet preserve the Constitution.

To sum it up, once Lincoln was elected and took possession as President, he took all the risks and faced head on with the challenge of holding the nation together while transforming and organizing a new and more effective government for an awaiting war. A challenge and crisis no President in American history ever faced, and no President ever accomplished as much (City War Talk).

All of these accomplishments make of Lincoln a great leader who transcends time and history. He not only stand outs for steady leadership, commitment, determination, and perseverance but for his exceling ability to influence and inspire people to keep making sacrifices in spite of hardships by acquiring the trust, loyalty, and respect of his followers and by effectively appealing to his followers’ values and beliefs through his natural, charismatic, and moral self and persona. According to historians, Lincoln showed a great ability to energize and mobilize the nation by appealing to its best ideals while acting with malice towards none in the pursuit of a more perfect, more just, and more enduring Union. For many, no President in American history ever faced a greater crisis and no President ever accomplished as much (City War Talk). Whether it was written or spoken, his words have the force and power to both motivate and inspire people.

Lincoln had the incredible speaking ability in getting straight to the hard issues at hand while still creating the feeling and sense of national unity and hope for his listeners and followers. In an effort to manipulate people into seeing things his way, Lincoln told stories. His story telling technique was his most distinct and creative leadership method which many present leaders use and apply, not only as a way to persuade and manipulate people, but a mean to explain their actions and decisions in which people could/would connect and relate. A present leader that uses and applies this technique of storytelling is the actual U.S. President Barack Obama—whose leadership style and skills is often related to the late Abraham Lincoln due to their similar upbringing, background and circumstances.

In addition, in spite of not having a formal education, Abraham Lincoln had great political and communication skill in settling disputes among his Cabinet members and generals as well as handle in the most and classic diplomatic way the most outspoken of his opponents, especially when they were dealing with adverse circumstances. Even though he was largely self-educated, his knowledge wasn’t just limited to politics and laws. His love for books makes him knowledgeable in a variety of subjects from literature to science and mathematics. His studies in others subjects, such as in mathematics, helped to gain wisdom in reasoning as well as find inspiration in the most unlikely places.

Other characteristic that made and makes Abraham Lincoln a great leader is how he constantly and consistently preached a vision (his vision for unity and freedom) through his speeches, writings and conversations. He established and developed a vision that was simple—a clear and concise statement of the direction the nation was taking with a following strategy of unilateral action justified by the power and emergency authority people bestowed to him to (literally and by all means) preserve, protect, and defend the nation in times of crisis and war. His vision is considered and viewed as one that struck a chord with the American people, the one that created his strong bond and connection with the common people by providing what the country of the United States needed at that time. According to Roger J. Norton, Lincoln provided grass-roots leadership, meaning that everywhere he went, at every conceivable opportunity, he reaffirmed, reasserted, and reminded everyone of the basic principles upon which the nation was founded and why those principles and their essence should be preserved.

Moreover, Lincoln not only acted as President and political figure, but as a leader that was willing to manage and lead not only by example but by walking around. He was willing to get out of his office and travel to informally visit and inspect the Union Army troops. Also, because he was willing to take time out of his busy schedule to hear and listen what his people has to say and what issues were bothering them, he gained further commitment, trust, and respect from his followers. He carried his presidential activities and duties taking into account the people.

Like any other business, he largely tried as much as he was allowed to stay in touch with the people who encompassed the foundation of the decisions and actions that were to take in order to stay ahead of the competition. For him was important to interact with his subordinates and people in a less formal and more relaxed environment to create and keep that connection and bond between them strong. And when he couldn’t get out of the outside from the White House, he would send and let people to wander for him. This way he is aware of the happenings and goings around.

Legacy and Impact

Through Abraham Lincoln’s accomplishments and experiences in life as man and President, we can find a good example from whom to follow and learn, because his life from all pictures and perspectives demonstrates that he possessed great leadership qualities like honesty and integrity, empathy for the common man, hard work and perseverance, and devotion for the rights of individuals. Some of his abilities were natural while others he further acquired and/or consciously developed over the course of his life. In him we can find good and great role model we can follow to further develop and improve our skills and abilities as both leader and person and from whom we can learn humble lessons on values and ethics, that can be applied on daily life, business, society and not only in politics.

Furthermore, in order to have a better grasp of what modern leadership entitles and what are essential to be successful in the future, leaders must look into the President Abraham Lincoln for and as example, because he represents the ideal model to start and achieve a desirable and effective leadership. Growing up under humble surroundings without any formal education, Lincoln is a symbol of determination, perseverance and purpose in life. His upbringing and early life experiences is what helped to define and shape his character and mold him into the person and leader we know. Having a purpose in life to excel and learn as much as he could, he didn’t fear to work hard and reach farther and higher, despite the obstacles and lack of resources.

James MacGregor Burns termed and described Lincoln to be transformational leader, who Burns refers as "a person who aims for the evolution of a new level of awareness and understanding among all members of an organization; a leader who rejects the use of naked power and instead attempts to motivate and mobilize followers by persuading them to take ownership of their roles in a more grand mission that is shared by all members of the organization". In other words, as a transformational leader, Lincoln was able to engage with people in such a way that he and his followers raised one another to higher levels of motivation and morality through a common, shared vision and mission.

He proved and demonstrated the President had a duty that went beyond the Congress and the courts. That in him, as President, shouldered the sole and whole responsibility for the well-being and survival of the nation in times of crisis. Thus, with the victory of the Union, he left as his legacy a United States that was both whole and free as well as increased the awareness on various states of affairs—social, political, business, cultural, legal, military, and moral. Under his leadership, people learned to accept and eventually adapt to the changes taking place at the moment.

With the Proclamation of Emancipation, Lincoln began the process of not only to end slavery but to learn to embrace diversity and difference among the people. With this he provided people a higher level of awareness and lifted people out of their routines into achieving