Instructor Resource
Neck, Entrepreneurship, 1e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Case Notes
Chapter 11: Learning from Failure
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: 16th President of the United States of America
Summary
Abraham Lincoln is arguably the greatest and most famous President in U.S. History. He is
credited not only with saving the Union and leading them to victory in the Civil War, but also
with forever abolishing slavery in the process. He might also be described as a political
entrepreneur in the sense of his ability to see opportunity and then push through whatever
difficulties arose on the pathway to achieving his ultimate vision.
Though Lincoln received very little formal schooling, he was a hard-working and authentic self-
education man who, on the merits of his own efforts and determination, eventually became a
Analysis
Perhaps few major political figures in American history suffered as much failure, rejection, loss,
and other difficulties as Abraham Lincoln. As such, his life makes a great case study on the
subject and experience of failure.
In addition to his experiences with failure, Lincoln also struggled with occurrences of deep
depression that laid him very low from time to time throughout his life. This combination made
his life difficult indeed. Despite it all, he was able to meet his many failures and
Instructor Resource
Neck, Entrepreneurship, 1e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. What role did failure play in creating Abraham Lincoln’s many successes?
2. What failures or tragedies have you experienced in your life that could potentially serve
as a seedbed for future joys and successes?
3. Consider the opportunities Lincoln opened up for others, particularly African Americans.
What is something you could do as an entrepreneur to open up new avenues for others
who may not be as fortunate as you?