Abraham Lincoln

Principles are our summary of their public statements.

• Labor as the Source of Value

  Strategy

  Capital is the result of previous labor, so focus on the human effort that creates value rather than just the money itself.

  3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln — Volume 7: 1863-1865  (opens in a new tab)

• Honor your professional commitments

  Leadership

  Once a commitment is made based on recommendations and merit, it should not be disregarded lightly as it affects organizational honor and safety.

  3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln — Volume 7: 1863-1865  (opens in a new tab)

• Maintain dignity in public forums

  Brand

  Conduct high-stakes discussions with the awareness that a larger audience is watching, aiming for a level of dignity that befits the importance of the occasion.

  3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln — Volume 4: The Lincoln-Douglas Debates  (opens in a new tab)

• Historical Context Matters

  Decisions

  Decisions should be based on the original intent and context of the founders rather than modern reinterpretations that serve current interests.

  3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln — Volume 4: The Lincoln-Douglas Debates  (opens in a new tab)

• Pursue the Ideal Constant Approximation

  Strategy

  A fundamental principle or vision does not need to be perfectly attained to be useful; it serves as a constant guide for progress and decision-making.

  2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln — Volume 4: The Lincoln-Douglas Debates  (opens in a new tab)

• Align Team with Core Values

  Hiring

  Individuals who do not share the organization's fundamental moral or strategic stance are misplaced and should not be part of the platform.

  Supporting quotes

  • “They insist that it should, as far as may be, be treated as a wrong; and one of the methods of treating it as a wrong is to make provision that it shall grow no larger.”

  2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

• Lead with shared moral principles

  Leadership

  A leader should unite diverse groups by focusing on universal moral sentiments rather than exclusive heritage or bloodlines.

  Supporting quotes

  • “I do not claim, gentlemen, to be unselfish; I do not pretend that I would not like to go to the United States Senate,--I make no such hypocritical pretense”

  2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

• Protect the core organization

  Management

  Once an organization is built on a specific principle, it is more efficient to maintain it than to let it dissolve and have to redo the work later.

  Supporting quotes

  • “I do not claim, gentlemen, to be unselfish; I do not pretend that I would not like to go to the United States Senate,--I make no such hypocritical pretense”

  2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

• Invite Direct Comparison

  Marketing

  When facing criticism, encourage the audience to look at the raw data or original records side-by-side with the competitor's claims.

  Supporting quotes

  • “I am quite aware that he was shirking and dodging around the form in which he put it, but I can make it manifest that he leveled his "fatal blow" against more persons”

  2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

• Integrity as a Competitive Advantage

  Brand

  A reputation for radical honesty creates a presumption of rightness that wins over judges, juries, and customers more effectively than technical skill alone.

  Source The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln — Volume 1: 1832-1843  (opens in a new tab)

• Self-Directed Skill Acquisition

  Learning

  One can overcome a lack of formal education by borrowing resources and practicing skills in public, even without immediate compensation.

  Source The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln — Volume 1: 1832-1843  (opens in a new tab)

• Address the Moral Core

  Strategy

  When debating complex issues, focus on the fundamental right or wrong of the matter to cut through sophisticated but hollow arguments.

  Source The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln — Volume 1: 1832-1843  (opens in a new tab)

• Wait for the right timing

  Strategy

  Do not rush into action until the necessity is clear to the people who must execute the work.

  Supporting quotes

  • “if any policy was to be maintained or changed, he, the President, was to direct that on his responsibility; and that in performing that duty the President had a right to the advice of his secretaries.”

  1 more supporting quote is in the member records.

• Tame strong personalities with confidence

  Management

  Manage high-performers with fierce personalities by giving them generous confidence and aiding them in their work.

  Supporting quotes

  • “if any policy was to be maintained or changed, he, the President, was to direct that on his responsibility; and that in performing that duty the President had a right to the advice of his secretaries.”

  1 more supporting quote is in the member records.

• Avoid Overthinking Through Diversion

  Productivity

  Intense focus on a single problem can wear down the mind; business and social interaction provide necessary rest for the brain.

  3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln — Volume 1: 1832-1843  (opens in a new tab)

• Transition from Passion to Reason

  Mindset

  Founders should rely on cold, calculating reason rather than raw emotion to sustain an organization after the initial excitement of its creation fades.

  3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source Wikiquote: Abraham Lincoln  (opens in a new tab)

• Protect the spirit of liberty

  Mindset

  True security comes from a shared cultural value of freedom, not just physical defenses like armies or fortifications.

  3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source Wikiquote: Abraham Lincoln  (opens in a new tab)

• Maintain Conditional Loyalty

  Integrity

  Collaborate with others as long as they remain aligned with core principles, but be ready to separate when they deviate from what is right.

  3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source Wikiquote: Abraham Lincoln  (opens in a new tab)

• Infer Intent from Coincidence

  Strategy

  When multiple independent parts fit together perfectly to achieve a specific outcome, assume they were designed by a common plan rather than by chance.

  Supporting quotes

  • “Senator Douglas holds, we know, that a man may rightfully be wiser today than he was yesterday - that he may rightfully change when he finds himself wrong.”

  2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

• Finish what you start

  Focus

  Work that is performed imperfectly and left unfinished comes to nothing; true value is created by the pride and effort required to complete a task.

  3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source Wikiquote: Abraham Lincoln  (opens in a new tab)