WHAT'S IN THIS ISSUE?
  LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM HISTORY
  QUOTABLE QUOTES
  PERSONAL PRODUCTIVITY
  LINCOLN'S LOG
  TRAVEL NOTES FROM A ROAD WARRIOR--THE AMERICAN VIRGIN ISLANDS
  VALUABLE RESOURCES
  FEEDBACK
LESSONS FROM HISTORY

***PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS, NOT YOUR WEAKNESSES

YEARS AGO, when I interviewed Grammy-winner Chet Atkins, he told me that in order to be successful, one had to "recognize what their strong points are and what their weak points are, and work within those limitations." That's a plain way of saying that success comes from recognizing what your aptitudes are and exploiting them.

Confirmation of that idea comes from one of the greatest leaders of all time—George Washington. We are told in Joseph J. Ellis’s new biography of Washington (His Excellency George Washington, 2004)that Washington by his early 20s was convinced that he had found his calling as a soldier. He stated, "My inclinations are strongly bent to arms."

Apparently Washington knew he was a fighting man. Gilbert Stuart, who painted several Washington portraits, and had the observant eye of a portraitist, made this amazing statement: “Had he been born in the forests, he would have been the fiercest man among the savage tribes.”

Gouverneur Morris stated that “his wrath was terrible.” (William Herndon, incidentally, used almost those identical words to describe Lincoln when he became aroused about an injustice.)

Yet the man whom Henry Lee eulogized as “First in war” was able to control his aggressive passions to become “First in peace.”

***BE FIRM

When Washington commanded the Virginia Regiment during the time of the French and Indian War, he sent the following message to one of his captains: “There are continual complaints to me of the misbehavior of your wife,” Washington wrote. “If she is not immediately sent from the camp…I shall take care to drive her out myself, and suspend you.”

What can contemporary leaders learn from this? Recognize a problem and face it squarely. Don’t dance a minuet around it with hints and politically correct language. And don’t try to diminish the gravity of a grave situation. Leaders take charge.

***BUSINESS IS BUSINESS. MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT.

In his later years, Washington hired his friend, Valentine Crawford, to assist him in managing his western lands. Here are Washington’s instructions—to his friend: “As you are now receiving my Money, your time is not your own; I shall consider you in no other light than as a Man who has engaged his time and Service to conduct and manage my Interest…and shall seek redress if you do not, just as soon from you as an entire stranger.”

What do we have here? A hard, calculating man or someone so focused on the big picture that he would allow nothing to stand in the way? Probably a bit of both.

Washington was skilful at balancing his strengths and weaknesses. He could be harsh, vain, and peevish, but he was also strong and just. The people of his day perceived him as someone who was tough enough to do the right thing especially if it was unpleasant. This is why he was “first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

QUOTABLE QUOTES

"NOBODY can make you feel inferior without your permission."

--Eleanor Roosevelt

"WHEN an enemy thinks a design against them improbable, they can always be surprised and attacked with advantage. It is true I must run great risk, but

no gallant action was ever performed without danger. Therefore, though I

cannot insure success I will endeavor to deserve it." –John Paul Jones

"I am a man who believes with all fervor and intensity in moderate progress. Too often men who believe in moderation believe in it only moderately and tepidly and leave fervor to the extremists of the two sides—the extremists of reaction and the extremists of progress."

-—Theodore Roosevelt

WHY a dog is man’s best friend: “You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘My God, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!” --Dave Barry

PERSONAL PRODUCTIVITY

***SHOULD YOU SAY BAD THINGS ABOUT YOUR COMPETITORS?

You can be too nice when talking about your product or service if what you offer is clearly superior to the competition. PR expert Erin Mitchell, business development director of RLM, says “You cannot be afraid to talk badly about your competition—in a light that makes it acceptable and constructive—and explain why you are purely the option to choose.” You don’t bash them but you lay out the facts, stating why yours is better.

Here’s why this is good advice. Just put yourself in the prospective buyer's place. When you make an important purchase, you want to know the pros and cons of each option, don’t you? Of course you do. In order to get this information, try making this request: “Tell me why I should buy from you and not from your competitors?” This request makes it easy for sales people who are too nice to be candid and helpful.

LINCOLN’S LOG

“You must not wait to be brought forward by the older men... Do you suppose that I should ever have got notice if I had waited to be hunted up and

pushed forward by older men?” Letter to William Herndon

ABRAHAM LINCOLN RETURNS TO THE JIMMY CARTER LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

***THE performance of “Lincoln Live” at the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum this past Thanksgiving was so successful that it will be performed again--twice on Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12.
Admission to the performance is free with the purchase of a ticket to the museum. Seating is limited and is on a first-come basis. Mark your calendars, and come early. The Thanksgiving performance was standing-room-only. For times and directions, call 404/865-7101 or use Mapquest for directions--441 Freedom, Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30507

TRAVEL TIPS FROM A ROAD WARRIOR—The American Virgin Islands
  ST.JOHN

THANKS to a gift from Laurence Rockefeller, about 2/3rds of St. John is now under the control of the National Park Service. If you take a three-hour tour around the island, you’ll see rain forests, fabulous beaches, and crystal-clear water for snorkeling and diving. Cinnamon Bay and Maho Bay are two of the loveliest spots in the world. The ferry ride from St. Thomas to St. John takes about 20 minutes and costs $3.00.

  ST. THOMAS

ST. THOMAS is considered down-scale from St. John because of congestion and a goodly number of buildings that are (How shall we say it?) not very beautiful. That said, the Ritz Carlton is a stunner. Built on a cliff overlooking a fine little beach, it is far from shabby or inexpensive. There’s also a great French restaurant--Herve´--in the quaint historic section of downtown Charlotte Amalie. The veal dishes are particularly good as are the coquilles, shrimp, and lobster St. Jacques; the service is excellent. Their signature drink “The Herve´ Froghopper” is memorable.

  St. Croix

St. Croix is an island with a past and a future. Columbus, who visited the island in 1493, called it “Santa Cruz”—Holy Cross, which is what St. Croix means. It’s not very crowded, has a diversified economy, and a modern infrastructure. But it’s a pleasure to visit now. To get to St. Croix from St. Thomas you can go by fast ferry (a bit over an hour) or by sea plane (20 minutes). Or you can fly from San Juan (about 40 minutes).

St. Croix has a casino, many great diving and snorkeling locations, and a Robert Trent Jones-designed championship golf course. Its old Danish towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted are charming, and accommodations are reasonable.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

***INCREASE YOUR PERSONAL PRODUCTIVITY AND MANAGE YOUR TIME MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH THIS NEW WORKBOOK/JOURNAL

THE big 8 ½ x 11 pages of this workbook/journal contain 99 ways that you can optimize your time, help you rise to new levels in your career and balance

your social, family and business commitments.

ILLUSTRATED with memorable graphics, the workbook/journal contains a crisp presentation of each of the 99 techniques. Each section includes space for the reader to put on paper what happened when a particular technique was used. The facing pages can be used for journalizing.

THIS valuable resource can be ordered as a wire-bound workbook--shipping is free in the U.S. or as a download.

PRINT it at your own printer or have your favorite photocopier do it for you--in black-and-white or color.

SHARE IT WITH OTHERS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION. You can use the download for your own personal growth or you can print multiple copies for family members or others in your organization.

(If you have trouble ordering, please call 404-256-5927 and leave a call-back number. 100% satisfaction guaranteed.)

***SHOPPING CART

FEEDBACK

***Robert J. Yuditsky, an investment professional with A.G. Edwards in Coer d'Alene Idaho, invited Abraham Lincoln to speak for his client-appreciation dinner at the amazing Coer d’Alene Resort. Here is his evaluation: “I cannot imagine a more meaningful way to demonstrate appreciation to a room full of people than a “Lincoln Live” performance by Gene Griessman. A combination of historical and contemporary insights through the persona of Abraham Lincoln left the audience energized and on their feet in the form of a standing ovation to honor the presentation.”

IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN PLANNING AN UPCOMING MEETING, SALES CONFERENCE, CUSTOMER-APPRECIATION EVENT OR SEMINAR, PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS:

___Lincoln-Leadership

___Personal Productivity-Time Management

___Macroforces and Trends in American Society

___Keynote Presentation ("Lessons From Legends" "Success and Failure: Nine Secrets That Make The Difference")

OTHER RESOURCES FOR YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH
TIME TACTICS OF VERY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE

THE WORDS LINCOLN LIVED BY

"LINCOLN ON COMMUNICATION" DVD-CD

99 WAYS TO GET MORE OUT OF EVERY DAY: WORKBOOK-JOURNAL, DOWNLOAD, CD AUDIOBOOK "THE INSPIRATIONAL WORDS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN" AUDIOBOOK

"AN EVENING WITH ABRAHAM LINCOLN" VIDEO

"LESSONS FROM LEGENDS" CD AUDIOBOOK

"THE DIVERSITY CREED" POSTER

"WORDS TO LIVE BY" POSTER