The Great Unifiers

Each year polls are taken on who people feel was the greatest president in our nation's history. Almost without exception, the two top vote getters are George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Why is that? Certainly, the specific times in which they served as our nation's chief executives were factors in their perceived greatness. Equally important, of course, was their leadership performance during those significant times. Washington was our first president. As a result of his behavior as a soldier and statesman, he served as a symbol around which the citizens of our very young nation rallied to fight for independence against a super power and then remain together when victory was won and the challenges of being brand new were present. During his time as president, Washington was not immune from criticism. But regard for him was so great that taking action against him was viewed as being ill-advised. Over sixty years after Washington stepped down, Lincoln took the reins at a time when our still-young nation was breaking apart. He had plenty of open opposition, but as a result of his great wisdom, courage and heart, Lincoln successfully kept our nation intact. Washington and Lincoln were greater unifiers.

It was their ability to unify that enables these two to remain in such great public regard so long after their deaths and the unique challenges they faced have been met. The success of Washington and Lincoln to bring people together was the direct result of their ability to communicate. While their styles of communication may have been different, they were extremely effective. Washington carried himself with great dignity and self respect. He possessed an unlimited love for family and for those who served under him, particularly his soldiers, and a willingness to subject himself to as much hardship and danger as others during the struggle for American independence. The financial and personal sacrifices he made during his many public years to better serve the people and their fledgling nation were not lost on those around him. Lincoln was much more articulate. With his words and unshakable vision, he, too, instilled loyalty to him and, more importantly, to the country itself.

Communication in the form of consistent deed, heartfelt words and and clear vision is an unstoppable force. In all of us it instills hope, inspiration, purpose, and knowledge. As public servants, Washington and Lincoln personified this very definite reality. It is also worth noting that coupled with these qualities is the fact both Washington and Lincoln were accessible. Neither man withdrew from public contact, challenge or interaction with others. They did engage in exchange and did factor in other perspectives into their own thinking and decision making. Thus, in my view, their willingness to listen greatly enhanced their leadership and unifying abilities. It also made them the great communicators they were.