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This is the story of Solomon Northup, a free black man from 

New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. His tale 

stood as a historical landmark and portrayed leadership 

ideals in action and in inaction. 

Solomon met two men, Merrill Brown and Abram 

Hamilton, who hired him to travel with them and play his 

violin. Believing their respectable appearance, Solomon 

went with. This unfortunately led to his capture and 

unlawful sale into slavery.

One of the first examples of the five practices of 

exemplary leadership is early on in his capture. 

Solomon, in order to stay alive and make it home, must 

keep his spirits up and encourage his own heart. At 

night he lies awake thinking of his family and how he 

must be smart to escape.

The next example of the practices of exemplary 

leadership is when Solomon meets other free men on a 

ship on their way to be sold. Solomon is able to instill a 

shared vision in these men that they must overthrow 

the crew and take the ship while in the Caribbean. This 

would have led to enabling others to act, if one of his 

partners in the act did not fall ill and die beforehand. 

Solomon's next portrayal of leadership is portrayed in 

more ways than one in chapter 7. Solomon challenges 

the process of not only his immediate situation, but the 

institution of slavery altogether. He does this first by 

suggesting and proving that waterways are more 

efficient transportation for his master, while also in his 

writing urging those of the Christian faith to raise a new 

generation- one that is taught to actually love all men 

and treat all equally. 

The next example of encouraging 

the heart is another one of 

Solomon keeping himself 

together and motivated, and isn't 

as outwardly addressed as 

others. In the text, Solomon 

talks about how his new master 

is impressed with the Northern-

style ax that Solomon makes for 

him, and he shows it off and 

keeps it. This to Solomon is proof 

that he is more educated and is 

indeed a free man.

As Solomon remains under his master Epps' control, he is moved 

up and made overseer of other slaves. This means that he is 

tasked with doing the thing he despises most: whipping other 

slaves. With the chance to challenge the process, we see 

Solomon fail and be crushed under the system. We also see 

modeling the way used in a negative light as Epps' young son 

models his father's actions and enjoys hurting slaves.

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