Leadership…
I’ve been reading “How to Win Friends and Influence People” and this makes it the third time through. EVERYTIME I read it, I find something else that pops out and grabs my attention. Here are a few notes I took while on the plane yesterday heading to Florida.
The battle of Gettysburg was fought during the first 3 days of July 1836.
General Meade could’ve attacked Lee, an opposing enemy but choose to let him live by his mercy.
Lincoln, instead of sending the letter he wrote chewing Meade up and down, he kept it and questioned his motives and thought about the feelings and future of this man who was under his leadership. By keeping the letter Lincoln found a way to relieve frustration on paper instead of on the person.
Sometimes it’s best to analyze the situation before attacking it.
Theodore Roosevelt said when he was President he would often times lean back in his chair while facing a perplexing problem and would look at Lincoln’s picture asking the question, “What would Lincoln do if he were here in my shoes? How would he solve this problem?”
Confucius said: “Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbors roof when your doorstep is unclean.”
Look at yourself and change you before you try to change others….
When dealing with others, let us remember we are not dealing with creators of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.
Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain – and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.
PERSONAL NOTE: I think we all could use a little bit of Lincoln in our leadership skills! The next time we find ourselves being quick to judge, act, or respond … perhaps we should look at Lincoln’s picture and ask the question, “What would Lincoln do if he were in this position? How would he handle the situation?” — We must be compassionate instead of be full of condemnation.
