Leadership comes in many styles, and history is full of examples when a leader’s judgment was a critical part in the success or failure of an initiative. An example people have come to admire is the leadership and judgment of Abraham Lincoln. To understand Lincoln and his capacity to act on the basis of sound judgment, it is helpful to understand his context. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is the location of ICMA’s annual Senior Executive Institute. Participants focus on the leadership of Lincoln during the Civil War. Attendees walk the battlefields and discuss Lincoln and the generals, reflecting on successes, failures, and actions that changed the course of history.