As we celebrate President’s Day, it is the perfect time to consider some of the leadership traits that made Abraham Lincoln one of the great presidents in American history.  While the movie “Lincoln” is getting significant praise, I recently started reading the book “Team of Rivals” by Pulitzer Prize winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin, one of the most comprehensive books about Lincoln and his extraordinary leadership ability.

Disasters or crises like Hurricane Sandy challenge all of us, but particularly leaders who others look to for direction, support, comfort and, yes, communication.  Consider some of the most significant leadership and communication lessons that have come out of this past week.

Last week’s Presidential debate offered some important lessons for professionals of all stripes on how to communicate and comport yourself when engaging an opponent with a different point of view in a very public setting.  Politics and ideology aside, President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney had a job to do that involved their ability to communicate effectively, present concisely and carry themselves with executive presence and likeability that would have a great impact on people’s perceptions of them as human beings.  Making a human connection, whether in person or via television, still matters a great deal regardless of the venue. 

Cory Booker was right…the first time.  Anyone who follows the political game knows that Cory Booker is embroiled in a national soap opera involving presidential politics.  Last Sunday on Meet the Press, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who last made national headlines when he rescued his neighbor from a burning building, compared President Barack Obama’s attacks on private equity to the attacks of the Republicans tying Jeremiah Wright to President Obama.