The Pulse of Higher Ed

“How would you describe your leadership style?” 

This question is a common one for both mid-level and senior-level candidates in the interview process. In the past, many relied on descriptors such as transformative, collaborative, or authentic to explain how they approached people and built teams. But as you think about your next career step, perhaps it is time to prepare for a new twist on that question: How does your leadership style intersect with artificial intelligence (AI)? 

Lincoln’s Legacy of Leadership 

Much of my professional career has been spent in Springfield, Illinois, the Land of Lincoln. Springfield is home to the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and Oak Ridge Cemetery, where Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their children are buried. Lincoln built his legal and political career in Springfield before becoming president. It was here that he honed the leadership skills that would ultimately shape history.   

Many scholars have analyzed Lincoln’s leadership, noting his ability to inspire trust, delegate authority, and navigate conflict with clarity (Phillips, 1993; Goodwin, 2005; Aubrey, 2012). According to Gemini (2025), Lincoln demonstrated a transformational style through listening to diverse viewpoints, inspiring loyalty, and communicating with confidence and clarity. 

What If Lincoln Had AI? 

While it is always challenging to view the past through the lens of today, I posed a question to ChatGPT (2025). 

Using the literature on Abraham Lincoln’s leadership, how might he have utilized artificial intelligence to complement his style? 

ChatGPT’s response outlined five intriguing possibilities: 

1. Public opinion analysis – Using AI to analyze newspapers, correspondence, and political publications in real time. This is visually depicted by one of the most impactful exhibits at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.  The display represents how public opinion was shaped, and distorted, through media of the time. 
2. Battlefield synthesis – AI could have consolidated conflicting battlefield reports, helping Lincoln and his leadership team make clearer, more informed decisions. 
3. Predictive strategy – AI might have helped Lincoln anticipate outcomes more precisely. 
4. Communication testing – Although Lincoln was a masterful speaker, AI may have supported him by testing rhetorical strategies before he delivered them to the public. 
5. Empathy at scale – Social listening tools might have amplified Lincoln’s ability to understand and connect with citizens across the country. 

While I don’t fully agree with all the assessments provided, I appreciated that ChatGPT also raised cautionary points about ethical risks, overreliance, and fairness. Using AI as a thought partner in examining Lincoln’s leadership was an engaging scholarly exercise. 

Lessons for Today’s Leaders 

So, what can we learn about our own leadership in the age of AI? How do we use these tools ethically and effectively without becoming overly reliant or unfair in application of the tool? And how do we address the modern version of that familiar interview question: 

“How would you describe your leadership style in a time when AI is evolving?” 

As Zarifis (2025) suggests, today’s leaders must consider how they guide both people and AI to achieve shared goals. 

Here are five practices I recommend for developing a clear roadmap that integrates your leadership style with the use of artificial intelligence tools available today: 

1. Establish clear moral guidelines for how you and your team engage with AI. 
2. Put people first. Relationships and human understanding remain central. 
3. Understand your leadership style and how both your team and AI tools can function together. 
4. Avoid overreliance. AI should augment, not replace, your judgment. 
5. Insist on fairness. Develop and follow policies that ensure equitable use of AI. 

Conclusion 

Leading during the evolution of AI offers tremendous opportunity, but it also challenges us to rethink how we define success. As leaders, we must balance human values with technological tools, staying true to our principles while adapting to new realities. 

So, I leave you with a question:  How will you lead both your human team and your AI team members? 

References 

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. https://www.lincolnlibraryandmuseum.com/the-museum 

Aubrey, G. (2012). Lincoln’s leadership—If you want success, lead like this. Creative Team Pub. 

Goodwin, D. K. (2005). Team of rivals: The political genius of Abraham Lincoln. Simon & Schuster. 

Phillips, D. (1993). Lincoln on leadership. Warner Books. 

Zarifis, A. (2025). Leadership with AI and trust. De Gruyter. 

Vickie Cook is the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment and Retention Management and a Research Professor of Education at the University of Illinois Springfield, as well as a Strategic Advisor for UPCEA Research and Consulting.  To learn more about UPCEA Research and Consulting, please contact [email protected].