Leadership, Legacy & the Soul of a Nation

“Leadership that lacks humanity may seize power, but it cannot sustain a people. True leadership listens, heals, and dares to hold the whole.” — Mary Coughlin

What a values-based lens reveals about U.S. Presidents and the stories we tell about leadership

There’s no shortage of ways to evaluate a U.S. President: polling data, economic metrics, electoral wins. But when it comes to understanding the heart of a leader—their soulprint, if you will—we rarely look beyond surface-level measures.

What if we asked different questions? What if we redefined leadership not by dominance or legacy alone, but by empathy, ethics, and impact?

In this project, we applied a values-based framework to assess the past 17 U.S. Presidents—from Abraham Lincoln to Donald Trump (2025 term)—using the same reflective criteria we previously applied to business and social leaders. This time, however, we zoomed in on the socio-political landscape of each presidency and how their leadership style shaped (or fractured) our national psyche.

We looked at ten key dimensions:

• Visionary thinking

• Integrity and ethics

• Adaptability

• Empathy and emotional intelligence

• Strategic decision-making

• Strong communication

• Resilience and grit

• Commitment to growth

• People-centered leadership

• Impact-driven purpose

Each president received a GPA-style grade using a standard 4.3-point scale.

The results? They don’t just reflect presidential performance. They reflect what we value, what we fear, and what we hope for in our leaders.

The Data: Presidential GPA Rankings

Here’s what the values-based leadership GPA looks like across the arc of American history:

From the steady hand of FDR to the moral compass of Lincoln… from the transformational empathy of Obama to the polarizing impact of Trump… the data tells a story not just of policy, but of presence.

These are not partisan rankings. They are reflective ones.

We asked:

• Did this leader use power to heal or divide?

• Did they remain open to learning and growth?

• Did they govern for the people—or just some of them?

• Did their leadership expand opportunity, equity, and well-being?

Why This Matters Now

In a moment when our democratic norms feel fragile… In a time when leadership is too often reduced to performance and charisma… We need a different compass.

We need leaders who are not just tough, but tender. Not just decisive, but deeply principled. Not just effective—but empathetic.

Because leadership isn’t just about passing legislation. It’s about shaping culture. It’s about safeguarding the soul of a nation.

And that’s why we’re doing this work.

We’re inviting a conversation—one grounded in reflection, not reactivity. One that dares to believe that how we lead matters just as much as where we’re going.

An Invitation to Reimagine

This post is part of a growing body of work under the REIMAGINE Movement—a call to action to redefine leadership, merit, and public life around values that heal and include.

If this resonates with you, I invite you to:

🔹 Reflect on the data and share your own insights
🔹 Download the full dataset and grading rationale HERE
🔹 Join our upcoming Trauma-Informed Leadership Retreat—a space for courageous leaders to reconnect with the soul of their service

Because caring is essential.
And the courage to lead with humanity? That might just be the most radical merit of all.

Sincerely,
In truth, in courage, and in care,
Mary

P.S.: If you missed the forst post looking at leaders across various industries, check it out HERE