Ethically Leaders in History

   Abraham Lincoln has shown himself as a leader who towers above the rest and a leader who has dealt with some of our nation's most difficult issues. Lincoln may admittedly be a typical choice for an essay on leadership, but people do not seem to really understand just how powerful of a force he was to the country at the time and shaping of what it has become today. Obviously, the abolition of slavery and the addition of t he 13th amendment are fundamental steps that Lincoln took to push America towards industrialism, and thus make America a world power. However, what made Lincoln such a great leader, capable of such gargantous task? Lincoln carried with him a finely tuned series of ethics, these ethics were found in his attitude, behavior and character.

   Lincoln's attitude towards life and those he interacted with was a just has he could make it. His career prior to presidency was in law. There he gained the knowledge of ethical choices and skills to implicate fair decisions based upon the law of our land, which is derived from core morals that were inherit in those who then transcribed them into written form. It was not uncommon for Lincoln to face opposition in his line of work, both in law and as president. However, even though he may not have like someone, in order to get the job done Lincoln would find a way to negotiate and find some sort of common ground to agree on. As he even said himself: "I do not like that man, I should get to know him better". His behavior to his work and the people in his life were given his full commitment. That commitment was essential to his achievement of preserving the Union. Lincoln's behavior towards his duty and his country were not only full hearted but also considerate of others. Though he is know to have a sturdy opinion and a well built argument, he is not opposed to listening to what others have to say. Besides, an argument can't technically be when only one person is speaking. Lincoln also established reconstruction methods for healing the devastated south after the Civil War as well as provide aid for newly freed slaves, even though much of these methods were acted out by his predecessor Andrew Johnson. Though leniency on the South became a debate, on how and to what degree the states should be punished. Lincoln fought for fair treatment and leniency, knowing full well the great resentment the South would carry for years to come.

   King George III on the other hand lacked many attributes for a successful leader. Many of his faults were inherent, and are the product of leadership that is thrust upon someone. Having his father suddenly fall ill and die, being prepared for the daunting task of ruling the kingdom and colonies of Britain was virtually impossible. Instead, George III spent a large portion of his later rule entertaining himself. George III lacked keen management skills when it came to organizing and handling national and international affairs. He also was never a very strong role model for his people and could have provided much more moral for the British army during the American Revolution. His dealings in that war alone are subject to leadership scrutiny. Overall, George III suffered from mental illness brought about by porphyria. This certainly put a toll on how he operated ethically. George III was know to isolate himself and play with little toy soldiers, even during the war in America. The people did not approve of George, and thus turned away from him. Any chance of him making a turn around would have been pointless due to the lack of faith people had in his ethical judgment. King George III, with his mental decay, poor judgment, and skewed management skills, is just one example of a leader who would not qualify as a proper leader.

 

-Arlen