Content area
Abstract
This study examined Abraham Lincoln's leadership language through the lens of the Full Range Leadership Model. A computer-aided content analysis was conducted using a total of 558 letters, speeches, and other documents delivered by Lincoln from 1837 through his assassination in 1865. Analysis was conducted using Regression Analysis, one-way ANOVAs, and post-hoc Scheffe tests. The results of these analyses indicated that the percentage of Transformational language Lincoln used was related to the subject of the item (slavery, states' rights, war, or the "Indian issue", the item type (speech, letter, or other), the percentage of war words in the item, the percentage of states' rights words in the item, and the percentage of language about the Indian issue in the item. The results also indicated that the percentage of Transactional language Lincoln used was related to the item type and the percentage of war words in the item. Finally, the results indicated that the percentage of Passive-avoidant language Lincoln used was related to the subject of the item, the percentage of war words in the item, and the percentage of slavery words in the item. Keywords: Lincoln, Full Range Leadership Model
