In the finale to the popular FX show, 'The Bear,' the central character Carmen reflects on how he has evolved from his experiences in the restaurant business. The Bear has just had an extraordinarily chaotic night that demanded all the capacity and energy of the whole staff. Carmen has had an epiphany from this challenging time -- he sees that he felt the best he has ever felt at work because of how the staff worked together as a team. As a result, they met an overwhelming task successfully, but in the process, they also created a wonderful sense of togetherness. They felt like family. Before President Donald Trump became enamored of Teddy Roosevelt, he often focused on what a great president Abraham Lincoln was and equated his own presidency with Lincoln's. While Lincoln stands out as an especially admirable person, a significant aspect of what made him a truly great President was his capacity to bring together people of differing points of view to work together. As the historian Doris Kearns Goodwin described in 'Team of Rivals,' Lincoln formed his Cabinet around the inclusion of the very men who competed against him in the 1860 presidential race. Goodwin regarded this extraordinary action as evidence of a 'profound self-confidence,' not a weakness, as some might have seen it. What's more, Lincoln demonstrated his leadership ability and political genius by forming friendships and loyal bonds with these men who had previously opposed and even demeaned him. His success in managing the strong egos of his unusual Cabinet members, in Kearns' view, showed that a 'truly great politician' can utilize the qualities of 'decency and morality' -- kindness, sensitivity, compassion, honesty, and empathy -- as effective political resources. The Trump administration has sought throughout its tenure to vilify and criminalize DEI programs. Yet, the essence of incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion into organizational functioning creates the kind of underpinning that Lincoln, and subsequent skillful Presidents, relied on to establish an effective governing team. George H.W. Bush assembled an international coalition before going into battle over the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. Joe Biden sought to make progress in overcoming the effects of climate change by engaging with 195 countries in the Paris Accords. Barack Obama assembled one of the most diverse cabinets in U.S. history, which included seven women, four African Americans, three Hispanics, and three Asian Americans out of 22 positions. Each of these Presidents saw the enormous benefits of bringing together disparate individuals, groups or even countries to accomplish major goals. Donald Trump has organized his Cabinet by having individuals around him who will align with his personal ideas and goals and be unequivocally loyal to him. He has portrayed himself as the most knowledgeable person in the room, the single best decision maker, and even the sole savior of the country. These reflect a manner of functioning associated with an extremely narcissistic person. Barry Gordon is a retired psychologist and writer living in Shaker Heights. He is a Harvard graduate and a frequent contributor to The Plain Dealer/Cleveland.com. Barry Gordon Ironically, loyalty was not the starting point for Lincoln's style of leadership, yet it marked the end result, as his Cabinet stood by him to the very end. With strong leadership and skillful collaboration, admiration and loyalty grow exponentially. Walt Whitman, the great celebrator of unity and democracy and a huge admirer of Lincoln, wrote in the poem 'Song of Myself': '… And what I assume you shall assume, / For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.' At the core of democracy is the ideal of working together to find consensus and solutions. The Constitution itself is the embodiment of compromise and of overcoming division and differences -- a model for all Presidents to follow. Gordon is a retired psychologist and writer in Shaker Heights. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions, comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.