Thematic Literature Review - Leadership

Thematic Literature Review – Leadership

Introduction
Extra ordinary Leadership is said to be born within an individual and not in the strategies and
tactics that they learn over a period of time. The art of leadership cannot be learnt rather to
become an exceptional leader one has to be born with qualities to persuade people to follow them
and walk on their path. Some of the qualities of a born leader are authenticity, coaching,
boundary breaking, distributing leadership etc. Leaders also have strong emotional intelligence
that allows them to recognize the emotions of others so that they can become their moral leaders
(Horowitz, 2018). When Global leadership is considered it needs to be remembered that
increasing instability in technology tends to be more challenging for the global leaders. This
paper would focus on a global leader and would discuss his leadership approach and study those
approaches with regards to different leadership theories (Williams, 2019).
In this essay the leadership traits and approaches of one of the greatest leaders in history that is
Abraham Lincoln would be studied. “He is one of those giant figures, of whom there are very
few in history, who lose their nationality in death.” David Lloyd George. Scholars study that
credibility is a foundational underpinning of leadership. Credibility of a leader helps them to
make their followers trust in them as their moral leaders and at the same time believe in their
ideas and beliefs. A leader is thus said to be made up of three main elements which are strengths,
weaknesses and experiences acquired throughout life. Hence this paper will focus on the
strengths, weaknesses and life experiences of Abraham Lincoln which has helped him to become
one of the greatest leaders in the history of world politics (Williams, 2019).
Introduction of the Chosen leader
Abraham Lincoln is considered to be one of the greatest leaders of History. He belonged to a
humble background with no formal education. Although he had no formal education he but he
studied all by himself borrowing books from his mentor so that he could fulfill his growing
interest in politics one day (Horowitz, 2018). From the very beginning of his life Lincoln was
focused on his goal and practiced great discipline which many scholars believe to be an
important characteristic in the making of a great leader. Most of his disciplined life was focused

on practical ends like becoming a lawyer or improving himself intellectually (Shepherd and
Yeon, 2019).
His fame as a lawyer was because of the fact that he could pin point some of the most important
elements in a case to the jury whereas the less important elements were left to be focused upon
by his opponents (Shepherd and Yeon, 2019). This important element of discernment helps in
the making of a great leader and hence it could be said that this ability to relate to the juries made
him an efficient leader (Nicolay, 2018). Leaders need to focus on the main two and three things
that really matter at a given point of time and let other concerns go so that main elements can be
focused upon. Abraham Lincoln led with purpose and a mission (Asif, 2018). He was of the
view that with no Vision people are likely to Perish. His main vision as a leader was Preservation
of the Union, bringing equality, reshaping national and global consciousness (Koehn, 2019).
Thematic analysis
Themes Subtheme Analysis
Leadership- Transformational
leadership
Ability to handle failure and
success
Abraham Lincoln was able to
handle success and failure
similarly. Through put his life
time he faced many failures
but he did not let those
failures come in the way of
his successful political career.
There were many a times
where he felt depressed with
the failures but his resilience
helped him to overcome those
failures and concentrate on
things that could be achieved.
Emotional intelligence Motional control, understand
other people’s emotions. He
was able to understand others
emotions and was also very