Team of Rivals

This book has captured my interest and my heart for a long time. You may wonder what a book about a great president is doing in a list of the best small “L” leadership books. Here is the reason: I get many powerful principles and practices of small “L” leadership–things I can use in my family, at church, and in my professional life–every time I read this book (and I have read it three times!).

It doesn’t hurt that the writing is beautiful! I love the writing, and I love to see how Lincoln created an effective team in his… show more.

This book has become a classic. It’s a brilliant book.

Doris Kearns Goodwin gives specific examples of how Abraham Lincoln was a master in creating coalitions and mobilizing support in the face of continuous resistance. His cabinet was made up of senior and ambitious individuals, many of whom were strong leaders in their own right.

Lincoln had to figure out how to get them on his side and create viable coalitions in order to move his key agenda—win the war and ensure the passage of the 13th Amendment. In many ways, he was not simply a visionary but a master… show more.

This book is a fascinating depiction of Lincoln’s presidency and cabinet.

It is full of fantastic lessons on leadership and overcoming obstacles in dark times. Lincoln's leadership style offers valuable insights for today's leaders. Overall, it's a must-read for history buffs and anyone interested in the art of leadership. 

Doris Kearns Goodwin’s magnum opus about our 16th Commander In Chief made a powerful impression on me because it showed that before Abraham Lincoln was a remarkable President (and my favorite) he was simply a good man. Most of us won’t ever be President, but all of us can be good people. 

You cannot come to grips with an understanding of American Civil War history without also coming to grips with the homespun genius of the 16th American President, Abraham Lincoln. The man and the conflict are entirely inseparable and, of the truly astonishing number of Lincoln studies available, Doris Kearns Goodwin’s narrative of the political maneuverings of Lincoln and his Cabinet is one of the very best for its breadth, insight, and understanding not just of the conflict but also of the man who has come to embody that struggle.

The book on leadership, character, and resilience. And a reminder both that we have navigated similar moments of peril and uncertainty, and that individual humans have an agency to shape the world around them in better ways. History hasn’t ended, and we badly need leaders who can combine intellect with emotional intelligence.