I think the obvious answer is that we are all "the Lincoln" in some fashion within our own organization. I am a manager so I am the Lincoln to my group and demonstrating his principles will make the group better. If the group performs better, it reflects on the institution as a whole. The real answer to the question, though, goes beyond that.
One of the things that made Lincoln such a great leader was that he did not shy away from his detractors. He included them in his cabinet. Their thoughts, ideas and opinions were valuable even if they were not necessarily what Lincoln was thinking. He empowered his generals to make decisions but was not afraid to respond and take action based on those decisions.
So, my answer would be...
Am I a "general" in my institutions' army? If so, am I a "Grant" or ...? Will I be perceived as a valuable leader of the group or am I making decisions that will force a response from my "Lincoln"?
Even more importantly, based on Lincoln's leadership style, am I worthy to be on Lincoln's cabinet? Will I respectfully disagree, provide insight and suggestions, and support the final decision for the good of the whole? Will I remain quiet, follow the crowd, and be a disgruntled employee that complains about the leadership at every opportunity?
I know where I think I am.
How about you?
I agree that is is very useful to frame ones point of reference in terms of where one stands in a Lincoln hierarchy and if one can perceive themselves as a Grant or maybe you are like McClellan which probably would not be good (always preparing rarely attacking). Thinking in terms of leading it is very important to face ones detractor directly and not shy away from confrontation. Expressing one opinions as a member of leadership is ones duty an hopefully one has a "Lincoln" who will appreciate both sides of an issue. The final decision of a group needs to be supported for the good of the organization. A sports parallel may be appropriate here. A football team is in the huddle quarterback calls a run through the line with a puling guard but guard thinks that will not work and decides not to pull --- of course we all know that the back just got destroyed on that play.
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