A high level of emotional intelligence in a leader encourages learning, sharing of ideas and it can also earn him or her trust. On the contrary, a leader with the low level of emotional intelligence is likely to impact in anxiety and fear among his or her followers. A leader with high emotional intelligence is perceptive of his people’s welfare. Moreover, he or she is often in an authentic, hopeful and high-energy mood. Such qualities cannot be faked since most people can easily see through this if it is not genuine. It is upon leaders to manage themselves first. Because emotions are communicable, it is important for them to ensure that they, as a leader, are aware of their emotions and control them. So that, in the long run, the message they convey to others while motivate them to move forward irrespective of how you are feeling as their leader.
From Lincoln the movie which is a 2012 American epic historical film directed by Steven Spielberg, Abraham Lincoln character which is portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis exhibits a high level of emotional intelligence (Spielberg, 2012). Despite Abraham Lincoln anticipation of the Civil War ending in January 1865 he is, however, troubled that his two years ago Liberation Declaration may be unwanted ones, the war is over. He, felt it is imperious to modify it soonest, hence declaring that freed slaves will not be subjected to slavery gain.
Lincoln’s advisors proposed that to give the amendment an easier path to the passage he should hold on and wait until when the new Republican Assembly is seated. But as a result, of his emotional intelligence, Lincoln remained inflexible about having the amendment wait for the war to be concluded. He had a vision for how it can be without slavery. He spoke on issues of humanity and clarified how such changes of amendment not only defining democracy for the US but also for the entire world.
Throughout the movie, Lincoln shines with belief. By knowing what he want is good he moves heaven and earth so as to get it done. Lincoln communicated what he believed in on any given topic and energized those around him. His high level of emotional intelligence also helped him to refuse to be diverted from what he believed in and knew was right (Nochimson, 2012). His emotional intelligence relied on building relationships and motivating teamwork. In one scene of the movie, Lincoln emerges with a powerful metaphor about ending slavery with the aim of keeping his team motivated.
Having a high level of emotional intelligence, Abraham Lincoln would not let his personal feeling come in the way of him assigning duties. For instance, he brought Salmon Chase into his cabinet as treasury secretary. In spite of fully having the knowledge that Chase craved for the presidency and was always undermining him with the cabinet members, he kept him there for three years. So long as he did a brilliant job at his post (Films for the Humanities & Sciences, 2012). However, this act had an adverse effect on Lincoln as they could frequently argue for long without reaching an agreement. And this at times leads to Lincoln having to make the decision himself regardless of what his team suggested.
Also, Lincoln was over understanding to the extent that he could not hurt people, even when they deserved it. He always believed in second chances. For example, he should have fired George McClellan, who was in charge of the Union Army some months before the beginning of the war, after witnessing how selfish and defiant he was (Film Roundtable: Lincoln,” 2013).
In conclusion, the movie depicts Lincoln to have had an extraordinary amount of emotional intelligence. He would acknowledge his errors and remarkably learn from his prior mistakes. He also made sure that he kept to the past all that hurt him and never allowed wounds to fester.
- Film Roundtable: Lincoln. (2013). Civil War History, 59(3), 358-375. doi:10.1353/cwh.2013.0060
- Films for the Humanities & Sciences (Firm), Films Media Group, & Public Affairs Television (Firm). (2012). Moyers & Company: What We Can Learn from Lincoln. New York, NY: Films Media Group.
- Nochimson, M. P. (2012). Forty-Ninth New York Film Festival, Film Society of Lincoln Center, September 30-October 16, 2011. Cinema Journal, 51(4), 155-159. doi:10.1353/cj.2012.0081
- Spielberg, S. (Director). (2012). Lincoln [DVD]. USA.
