Thursday, March 19, 2015

Style of Leadership (3)



CHAPTER 4

EXAMPLES OF HONEST LEADER



A.    Example of Honest Leader in the Bible

In Biblical history there was a great leader of Israel who was well known for his honesty and integrity, Samuel. Evens since his childhood, Samuel’s life was consecrated to the Lord. He was kind, generous, obedient, and respectful[1]. The bible says “And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the LORD and men” (1 Samuel 2:26, NKJV). This childhood life has shaped his character that he applied in his leadership later. 

Samuel was a perfect example of a leader who had honesty character in his leadership. Along of his leadership as a judge for Israel he witness before the Lord and human that he reigned honestly. When he ended his ministry and leadership, he said: "Here I am. Witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes? I will restore it to you." And they said, "You have not cheated us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man’s hand." (1 Sam 12:3-6, NKJV). What a strong witness Samuel had in his leadership that all people of Israel acknowledge his honesty.
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B.     Example of Honest Leader from Modern Character
 
Throughout the history of the world there have been many great leaders. They were strong in Character. From United State of America we have several, such as Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and the Roosevelt became presidents; others like Franklin, Webster, Anthony, and King made a dramatic impact on mankind without reaching the White House. Who is consistently ranked as the greatest leader and what characteristics he was known to have?
The C-Span survey of Presidential Leadership consists of rankings from a group of presidential historians and "professional observers of the presidency" who ranked presidents in a number of categories initially in 2000 and more recently in 2009. With some minor variation, both surveys found that historians consider Abraham Lincoln,[2] George Washington, and Franklin D. Roosevelt the three best presidents.[3] In addition,  an ABC News poll about presidential greatness, taken 16–20 February 2000, asked 1,012 adults in the US, "Who do you think was the greatest American president?"[4]. Furthermore a Washington College poll about presidential greatness, taken February 11, 2005, asked 800 adults in the US, "Thinking about all the presidents of the United States throughout history to the present, who would you say was America's greatest president?"[5] As the result of those three survey, Abraham Lincoln was regarded as the greatest president of the United States.

What traits or characteristics are known from the life of Abraham Lincoln that he was known as the greatest president of USA throughout her history? Abraham Lincoln was known for his honesty and integrity, hence the stereotype “Honest Abe”[6]. Abraham Lincoln is honest, capable and friendly to the constitution. One of the strongest in favor of the election of Lincoln to be president is his honesty. [7]
 
American philosopher William Ernest Hocking noted: 'there are myths which displace truth and there are myths which give wings to truth." In this case, Abraham Lincoln reputation for honesty and integrity, even though challenged over the years, has remained unblemished.  In fact, as knowledge is gained about the real man, it is largely enhanced.  Myth in this case has become reality.  Lincoln was just as honest as he has been purported to be, if not more so.


[1]White Ellen G., The Story of patriarch and Prophets , (California Mountain View, Pasific Press Publishing Association, 1958), p.57331.


[2]http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/16/presidential.survey/
[3]http://legacy.c-span.org/PresidentialSurvey/Overall-Ranking.aspx
[4]http://www.pollingreport.com/wh-hstry.htm
[5]http://www.pollingreport.com/wh-hstry.htm
[6]Roger Billings,Frank J. Williams. Abraham Lincoln, Esq.: The Legal Career of America's Greatest President. (The university press of Kentucky, 2010) Top of Form
[7]Michael Burlingame. Abraham Lincoln, A life. (Baltimore: John Hopkins University P, 2008) p.628
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