The Aggressive Life with Brian Tome Lessons from Lincoln on Enduring Crisis with Nancy Koehn—Historian, Harvard Business School
Sep 9, 2025
Nancy Koehn, a Harvard Business School historian, dives into Abraham Lincoln's extraordinary legacy. They discuss Lincoln's resilience during personal and national crises, particularly during the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation. Koehn highlights how leadership can evolve through adversity and examines Lincoln's ability to unite former rivals in his cabinet. The conversation also reflects on personal growth, emphasizing the lessons learned from history, making decisions aligned with personal values, and the ongoing relevance of Lincoln's lessons in today's world.
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Crisis As A Forge For Leadership
- Crisis can forge people into stronger, more capable leaders rather than merely being endured.
- Small daily choices and simply getting up the next morning accumulate into historic outcomes.
Reading Lincoln During Personal Crisis
- Nancy Koehn described reading Lincoln's writings during a personal health and family crisis which drew her to his life.
- She was struck by how much tragedy Lincoln endured and how he nevertheless persisted.
Perseverance Beats Flashy Triumphs
- Lincoln faced relentless hardship yet kept advancing day by day, demonstrating resilience over spectacle.
- That steady perseverance, not dramatic feats, is a central element of transformative leadership.
