The Build Network posted an article the other day on the Business Insider's site detailing their thoughts on Lincoln's strategy for handling setbacks. It was a great article and highlights that motivation, team building, accountability and talent development are not new issues. They have been around for a long long time. (Link to the article below) The main point I took away - the same methods Lincoln used are some of the same we teach today and do in fact work.
- How many times have you heard - "Before you send out that email, wait 24 hours and re-read it?" Don't send something out in haste, there maybe bigger implications than you can consider in the heat of the moment.
- How many of us have heard or told a story similar this to teach emotional awareness:
A man is sitting on a train after a long day at work. He's had a terrible day and just wants to sit and read his paper in peace. Next to the man are a father and his two children. The two children are jumping and playing, causing a small ruckus. The first man tries to ignore the commotion and continues to read his paper, however the kids just continue to get louder and louder. After about 20 minutes, the man can't take it any more. He turns to the children's father and says, 'Sir, can you please control your children and ask them to settle down and lower their voices. Some of us here are trying to unwind from a very long day at work.' The father turns to the man and immediately apologizes, 'I'm so sorry sir, we didn't mean to cause any issues. See, we are on are way home from their mothers funeral. This is the first time I've seen them happy in days, so I figured I would let them enjoy this little break from reality.'
We tell this story to make a point. Several can be derived, however I think in this context, it helps illustrate the same point as Lincoln and Carnegie understood.
Overall - great article - I highly suggest the read!
http://www.businessinsider.com/lincolns-strategy-for-handling-setbacks-2014-2