Explaining. Leaders, to be effective, must find the words to let people know what the problem is, why they must do certain things, and why things frustrate them. Effective explaining requires more, Gardner points out, than clarity and eloquence. It requires people who know how to help with this as well as channels and media through which it can occur. Simply put, “Leaders teach.” Every great leader is clearly teaching. John W. Gardner references Abe Lincoln and his second inaugural address. Psycholawlogy likes Abe Lincoln. You will see many more references and applications in these and other lessons.