Women Changing History: Leadership Lessons from Gettysburg
By Dr. Judy Morley
Published on March 8, 2023
Celebrating Women Who Changed the Course of History
In honor of Women's History Month, we wanted to highlight a few frequently-overlooked accomplishments by women throughout history. These remarkable women demonstrate the leadership qualities that we study and teach at the Lincoln Leadership Institute - courage, innovation, persistence, and the ability to see beyond conventional wisdom.
Revolutionary Innovations
Did you know that a woman invented the first airplane muffler? This is just one of countless innovations that women have contributed to our world, often without receiving proper recognition at the time.
Leadership Lessons from Women in History
Women throughout history have demonstrated exceptional leadership under pressure, often breaking barriers and challenging the status quo. Their stories provide powerful examples of:
- Courage under fire - Making difficult decisions when the stakes are highest
- Innovation in adversity - Finding creative solutions when traditional approaches fail
- Persistent vision - Maintaining focus on long-term goals despite immediate obstacles
- Authentic leadership - Leading with integrity and staying true to core values
Modern Applications
The leadership principles demonstrated by these historical women are directly applicable to today's business challenges:
- Breaking through barriers - How to overcome institutional resistance to change
- Building coalitions - Creating support for revolutionary ideas
- Strategic patience - Knowing when to push forward and when to wait for the right moment
- Authentic communication - Inspiring others through genuine passion and conviction
The Lincoln Leadership Institute Approach
At LLI, we believe that studying diverse leadership examples - including the often-overlooked contributions of women - provides a richer understanding of what it means to lead effectively. When we walk the battlefields of Gettysburg, we're not just studying military tactics; we're examining how leaders of all backgrounds made crucial decisions under pressure.
These historical lessons remind us that great leadership comes in many forms and that the most transformative leaders are often those who challenge conventional thinking and forge new paths forward.
Want to explore more leadership lessons from history? Join us at one of our upcoming programs where we dive deep into the timeless principles that create extraordinary leaders.