Failure Quote by Doris Kearns Goodwin
““This, then, is a story of Lincoln’s political genius revealed through his extraordinary array of personal qualities that enabled him to form friendships with men who had previously opposed him; to repair injured feelings that, left untended, might have escalated into permanent hostility; to assume responsibility for the failures of subordinates; to share credit with ease; and to learn from mistakes. He possessed an acute understanding of the sources of power inherent in the presidency, an unparalleled ability to keep his governing coalition intact, a tough-minded appreciation of the need to protect his presidential prerogatives, and a masterful sense of timing.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Team of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwin, 2005
Lincoln’s political skill stemmed from personal virtues that built trust, repaired rifts, accepted blame, shared success, and learned from errors, maintaining a strong coalition and timing his actions.
In simple terms: Lincoln succeeded by trusting, repairing, sharing, learning, and timing.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate trust, humility, and timing in leadership.
Themes
leadership
politics
trust
humility
timing
Mood
reflective
inspirational
analytical
Type
historical
leadership
biographical
When to use this quote
- government negotiations
- team management
- conflict resolution
- personal development
- crisis leadership
Key Concepts
political strategy
emotional intelligence
coalition building
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you apply Lincoln’s humility in modern corporate politics?
- What timing cues indicate when to share credit or assume responsibility?
A Different Perspective
His approach may not work in highly hierarchical or authoritarian contexts where shared credit is discouraged.
![“It [Lincoln movie] had nothing to do with politics. It had nothing to do with holding a mirror up to the way we conduct our business on Capitol Hill. This was meant to be a story, a Lincoln portrait if you will. I think any time is the right time for a very compelling story, any time.” quote by Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2ff/steven-spielberg-963_capitol_it-lincoln-movie-had-nothing-to-do-with_993663.jpg)
