2. ‘Team of Rivals’by Doris Kearns Goodwin “Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.” ~Abraham Lincoln
5. Leadership The ability to influence others The willingness to influence others The ability to do that in such a way that they respond willingly Was Lincoln a great leader? What is Leadership?
6. Capacity to Listen to Different Points of View Lincoln’s “Team of Rivals” Lincoln’s cabinet The Principal’s Staff “SLO’s 2, 5, 7, 11 What are the advantages? Are there any disadvantages Principal Forte’s “Professional Learning Community
7. Ability to Learn on the Job A Culture of Learning Principals and Teachers learn from each other (PLC’s) SLO’s 4, 5, 7, 11 15 20
8. Willingness to Share Credit for Success Lincoln celebrating success Principal/Assistant Principal, Staff, celebrate “School of Distinction” SLO’s 14
9. Willingness to Share Blame for Failure Weems Elementary School Administration SLO’s 16, 17,21, 2, 5,6,9, Lincoln’s Administration
10. Awareness of Own Weaknesses Abraham Lincoln & George McClellan Pamela Rogers
12. Know How to Relax and Replenish Lincoln and his friends Principal relaxing at beach…
13. Strength to Adhere to Fundamental Goals Lincoln would not compromise Don’t be spineless
14. Go Out into the Field and Manage Directly Lincoln on the battlefield Principal visits the classrooms
15. Ability to Communicate Goals and Visions Abe discussing “plan of action” with troops Staff Meeting to share strategies to improve “student learning”
16. Abraham Lincoln: The Great Leader “With malice toward none, with charity for all, Let us strive on to finish the work we are in, To bind up the nation’s wounds, To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a Just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations”
Editor's Notes
Let us have faith..that right makes might…and in that faith…let us to the end…dare to do our duty….as we understand it…..these are some very powerful words spoken by Abraham Lincoln.(BTW, from chapter 7..not my chapter ..but had to go back and read that chapter to better understand 8)I didn’t realize how great a man he was until this project. Starting my blog and reading my classmate’s blogs and all of their post was very revealing to say the least. I got to see a variety of viewpoints. But I think the one thing we all agree on is…The man was a genius..a GREAT LEADER!!!
I was assigned to read Chapter 8..The republicans are gather in Chicago for the National Convention to nominate their candidate to run on the Republican ticket. Lincon, including 4 other men , left to right…( ) Lincoln won the nomination..he was not the most popular, he was not the most experienced in politics, non the less, this man was able to not only secure a place on the Republican ticket, but went onto become our 16th president. Many say he was one of the GREATEST LEADERS of all times. next
The ability to influence others..Yes? Does that alone make a leader? NO……CLICKThe willingness to influence others? YES? What if we had just those 2…NO …..CLICKThe ability to do that in such a way that THEY respond WILLINGLY…NEED ALL THREEDoes this describe Lincoln???? From blogging, posting, reading The Principalship and Leader on Line I have come up with TEN qualities that I feel Lincoln possessed and because of this I would say YES thisman was not only a great leader but a genius. and research and blogging and reading the CLICL
Lincoln had the capacity to LISTEN to other and appreciate their different points of View…President lincoln appointed the best and the brightest to his cabinet. Individuals who were some of his greatest political rivals. As principals : we can no longer have the attitude of “My Way or the High Way” if you do this eventually your school will cease to progress you as leader were only open to ideas that were similar to yours.
Ability to learn on the job. Lincoln was able to ackmowledge error, learn from them, and then move on, In this way he ESABLISH A CULTURE OF LEARNING IN HIS ADMINISTRATION.Principals must take the time to develop a culture of learning…one in which there is a lot of collaboration. Principals can learn from teachers and vice versa. There are many Standards of learning objectives present in establishing a culture of learning. Principals must learn the curriculum in order to become better leaders. Principals can do this through attending PLC’s at their schools and sharing of ideas..what works,,,what doesn’t work….next steps….
In response to concerns expressed by friends about the actions of some of his cabinet members, Lincoln Stated….”The path to success and ambition is broad enough for two” When there was success, Lincoln shared the credit with all those involved. It creates a positive climate when teachers know they are apprecated and can celebrate success. Teachers are more willing to do what ever it takes to increase student learning when they know they are appreciated and can celebrate the small as well large…If you didn’t hit your proficiencu goal….Find ways to celebrate success….Celebrate student growth…
When mistakes were made by members of the cabinet, Lincoln stood up for them. When contracts related to the war efforts raised serious questions about a member of his administraton, Lincoln spoke up and said he and his cabinet were the blame. (One for all, all for one)WE celebrate success, WE made great gains..NEVER you didn’t meet your proficiency goal, YOU didn’t ….instead say…We didn’t quite hit the target..let PLC and share strategies that will help us get there next time….
One of the weaknesses acknowledged by Lincoln was his tendency to give people too many chances and because he was aware, he was able to compensate for that weakness. Ex. Commander and Chief of the Union Army refused to fololow directives about the war effort. Lincoln eventually set a deadline and eventually removed Meclellan from the position. (he became known as “deceitful McClellan” Principals have to be aware of their weaknesses and compensate for tghem when situations arise. In this case it was called tough love…..This is a picture of a teacher who was arrested for having sex with a 13 year-old.2nd arrest….Focus must always be on student learning ..this leads us into…….
Lincoln treated those he worked with well….however…he did get angry and frustrated…so he found a way to chanel those emotions …he was known to sit down and write what he referred to as a hot letter…to the individual he was angry with..then he would set the letter aside..and not send it/.///If he did not lose his temper lincoln would follow up with a kind jester….or letter to let theindividual know he wasnot holding any grudges, many times as principals you will become frustrated…angry…just as Lincoln..you will have to find a way to chanel those emotions…..if you don’t it will only create a negative climate in your school…and your emotions will begin to dictate your actions…….
Lincoln understood theimportance of just relaxing and humor to shake offf the stress of the day and to replenish himself for the challenges of the next day. Lincoln had a wonderful sense of humor…and loved to tell funny stories….he encourage a healthy atmosphere and fun in his administration….he also enjoyed going to the theartr and spending time with his friensds, As principal you must take time for YOU..to clear your thoughts…..and to mentally equip yourself for the challenges sah
In the summer of 1864 the war was not going well andmembers of Lincoln’s party came to him and said there was no way they could win the war and he might need to compromise on slavery. Lincoln held firm on the issue of slavery. (HEAD, HEART, HAND)..Principals..there are going to betimes when you may beasked to compromise what you know is gthe right thing to do…hold firm..teachers will respect you for your belief and willingness to carry through with the agreed upon plan….
During th e civil war many soldiers died and there were many ups and downs….Lincoln esablished lasting connections with thetroops by visiting the battelefields and hospitals. Which also help to bolster morale…..Principal you can help bolster the morale of your school and earn the respect and establish lasting relationships by leaving the office, go into the clasrooms, make yourself visible….rolling your sleeves up and helping your teachers.
Lincoln had a remarkable ability to communicate his gaols to his country men……He made the concepts simple,,,,,andcomunicated with an understabnding…..of concern for the citizens. As schpool leaders…..you need to be able to do as Lincoln did….goals , epectations,,,,vision….mission. Should be delived in plain language and always with STUDENT learning as the outcome…..
When the war ended and Lincoln was reelected he did not focus on his achievements…Rather, in his 2nd inaugural speech licoln focused on bringing the country together as expressed in the following excerpt
