***Bad Laws
“One sure way to get rid of a bad rule in business or a bad law in a society is to enforce it vigorously.” --Gene Griessman

***What Lawyers Are Supposed To Do 
“The primary objective of our legal system is not to determine the truth, but to resolve disputes peacefully.  Besides, in most cases where the facts are disputed, no one but the clients know for sure where the truth lies, and often they aren’t really sure.”   --Anonymous attorney cited in Brian Dirck, Lincoln the Lawyer
 
***The Risk in Bluffing
“In law it is good policy to never plead what you need not, lest you oblige yourself to prove what you cannot.”  Abraham Lincoln

***The Social Causes of Excellence
”Whenever you find a good organization, you can be sure that its leaders have found a way to turn good attitudes into habits.”  
-–Gene Griessman

***An Old Lawyer Adage
 “If you have the facts on your side, pound on the facts.   If you have the law on your side, pound on the law.   If you have neither the facts nor the law on your side, pound on the table.” 

LEADERSHIP LESSONS

How to Say It
Skillful communicators pay attention to the nuances of the language.

I’m always on the lookout for powerful words and statements that I may be able to use myself.   Recently I found in the writings of Lincoln a diplomatic but effective way to find fault with something. 

Here’s the background.  In the early days of the war, Congress and Lincoln had been looking for ways to make the slaves that were being freed by Union armies free forever, a goal that Lincoln very much desired.  But the bill that Congress proposed was flawed.   In his response, Lincoln systematically delineated the flaws, and ended with these words:  “With great respect, I am constrained to say I think this feature of the act is unconstitutional.”

Think of Lincoln’s response as a model of one effective way to say No without alienating the other party.  You show respect to the other party, you indicate that you personally wish you could approve the idea, and you state that it is only a part of the concept that you find fault with, not the whole thing.

In order to adapt this model to the language of today, you might say something like:  “With great respect, I have to say that I have a problem with one part of what you are proposing.”

LINCOLN’S LOG

Every Well-Run Organization Needs an SOB

Anytime you find an effective organization, somewhere in that organization there will be someone who is known as an SOB.  Even a well-run hamburger stand will have someone who insists on workers scrubbing floors, scouring utensils, picking up trash, and making the place sparkle.  That person will likely be called unflattering names by the workers. 

What is true at this basic level is even truer of large organizations.  

But the SOB does not have to be you.   It might be you, but not necessarily.

Take the case of Lincoln and his SOBs.

Lincoln could say No if he had to, skillfully and diplomatically.  But this did not come easily to him.  He even made a joke of his preference for saying Yes, stating that it was a good thing that he was born a man and not a woman because if he were a woman, his reputation would be ruined.

Lincoln had a tender and forgiving spirit, a temperament not well-suited for the everyday requirements of a military machine, which by war’s end numbered more than one million men.  War is a messy business.  Lincoln’s administration had to deal with an unpopular draft, desertion, rampant fraud, incompetence, innumerable requests for deferments and leaves and promotions, demands for special favors, bribery and other treasonable acts, and unending power-struggles among officers.

By war’s end, Lincoln had found a number of SOBs--individuals who could say, “That’s not good enough;” “We can’t do that,” “We won’t do that,”  “We’re going to have to let you go,” and generally raise hell with incompetents and crooks.

The most infamous of the SOBS was William Stanton, his Secretary of War.”  Stanton was cynical, brusque, unsmiling, intensely focused, highly intelligent, and incorruptible. 

Lincoln and Stanton often behaved like they were doing a good cop—bad cop routine.

Lincoln would listen sympathetically to a tale of woe.  He would then dispatch the supplicant to see Stanton.  On one occasion Lincoln even wrote out a request and gave it to the visitor, telling him to take it to Stanton.   Stanton read it, and furiously tore it into little pieces, shouting, “The old fool knows we can’t do that.”

The visitor went back to Lincoln and told him that Stanton had called him a fool, to which Lincoln good-humoredly shrugged, “Then I must be a fool.   Stanton is usually right about most things, and he’s probably right about that too.”   Stanton’s decision stood.

The lesson for today’s leaders is this.  If you are the kind of leader who agonizes about ever saying No to anybody about anything, you are not the right person for the SOB role.  You can have a highly successful career as the friendly face of your organization.  Or you can acquire fame as a brilliant strategist, or as someone who has good judgment.  But somewhere there must be someone with power in your organization who is not just like you—someone who is not afraid to make somebody unhappy. 

FEEDBACK
*** “I want to thank you again for the wonderful performance you put on for my group. When people were telling me what a great event we had and how much they appreciated being invited, I realized the value of good referrals. Having got your name with such enthusiasm from Richard Weylman, I never doubted the success of the evening.

Richard was right on the mark.  We are very grateful to have had you spend an evening with us.

Your message is timeless. The passion and humor, simply wonderful. And coming from Abe Lincoln, it was a moment in time none of us will ever forget. 

I was especially moved by the "life lessons". I look forward to our continued friendship. You are a special and gifted individual. --Francis G. Bitterly, CFP, First Vice President - Investments  Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill Lynch, Red Bank, NJ

*** “You did a great job. Everyone loved it!  Perhaps just the beginning…”  --Mike Jones, Hartford Mutual Funds

Feedback from the evaluation forms:
***”The opening with guest—“Abe Lincoln” was phenomenal!  What a meaningful and exceptional performance.”  --participant comment    “His support for the efforts of the committee and engaging participants made this one of the best conferences we’ve ever had.” Steering Committee comment--Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals.

***”I enjoyed using the analogies of Lincoln in a play setting which relates to today’s life and business experiences.” 
--Kiah Harvin, Jr.  President/CEO, Harvin Golf Management Group

TRAVEL NOTES FROM A ROAD WARRIOR

International Travel

When traveling abroad, for petty cash, you can avoid exchanging money at banks or exchange services by using ATMs instead.

As soon as you get off the plane, head straight for the ATM machine, preferably one associated with a big bank.  By far the best choice is to use your bank card, and withdraw from your checking account.  All you generally need is your pin number.  You will get a favorable rate of exchange, and the fee will be reasonable. Second-best choice is to withdraw from your credit card.  But be careful.   You will start paying a relatively high interest rate from the moment you make the withdrawal. 

Mexico 

Right now, Mexico is a great choice for travel.  The dollar goes a long way, the choices are astonishingly good, and the Mexican people are unfailingly helpful and courteous.     

San Miguel de Allende

Situated about 6400 feet above sea level, this charming 17^th century colonial jewel has already been discovered by the rich and famous, which means that the restaurants and accommodations are superb and the artisans are world-class.  Some 12,000 Americans, many of them retired, own residences here and speak of the place in idolatrous terms.  For this visit, my party rented a beautiful villa that belongs to an American couple who reside in San Miguel six months a year.   The villa contains an exquisite collection of Mexican folk art, which delighted the eye no matter what room we were in. (www.san-miguel-house-rentals.com; ask for Sheila Dufilho  The villa we stayed in is “Casa Wheeler.”)

English is widely spoken in San Miguel and there is even a good English-language newspaper.

San Miguel is a tourist destination, but it does not swarm with tourists.  I saw no big-name-chain hotels or food chains.  The nearest airport of any consequence is Leon, which has direct flights to several American cities.  It’s a beautiful little airport that’s quick and easy to get in and out of.  A taxi from Leon to San Miguel will cost about $90 plus tip.

San Miguel looks and feels like an old movie set, a bit like “Treasure of Sierra Madre.”

The weather is cool and crisp without a touch of humidity.  In August, while most of the US was sweltering, the temperature in San Miguel never got above the 70s. 

I especially liked Harry’s New Orleans Cafe (You feel like you are in New Orleans.); Bugambilia (delicious corn soup); Casa Payo (Argentine specialties plus free phone calls to the U.S and free Internet), Tio Lucas (incredible osso bucco), and  Mama Mia (big bar with outstanding musical groups nightly).

Most important.  You feel safe in San Miguel, even when you walk street at night alone.

Mexico City
For years Mexico City has been the poster child for everything that is supposed to be bad about Latin American cities: smog, crime, congestion, disorder, and dirt.  My recent trip to this enormous city has convinced me that Mexico City does not deserve the bad press. 

I stayed in the brand-new Embassy Suites, and can’t say enough good things about the beauty and cleanliness of the building or the quality of the staff.  Highly recommended. 

The hotel zone and the historic zone are clean and beautiful.  The Museo Nacional de Antropología is world-class, and is only one of perhaps a dozen museums worth going to.  A group of Americans in my hotel had flown down just to see a big exhibition of Frida Kahlo’s art at one of the museums.   The third-largest pyramid in the world is located just outside the city in the ancient city of Teotihuacan.  It’s a must-see.  I had dinner one night in an up-scale neighborhood located near the University of Mexico that reminded me of Beverly Hills. 

Because Mexico City is located at 7300 feet, it too is a cool choice for a summer getaway.  I would definitely go back. 

Don’t Take Our Word For It
David Greenberg, author of “Simply Speaking” and “How To Avoid Death By Powerpoint,”  is one of the most respected authorities on presentation skills on the planet. 

Here’s what he says about our DVD “Lincoln on Communication”:  “This amazing video is in a class by itself.  Every minute is captivating, entertaining and educational.  You and your group will learn some of the most effective communication tactics and strategies that made Lincoln a great writer and speaker—tactics that absolutely work for today’s business environment.”   Use this link to learn more now and receive an unadvertised special with your order. www.achievementdigest.com/lincoln%20on%20communication.htm

IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN PLANNING AN UPCOMING MEETING, SALES CONFERENCE, CUSTOMER-APPRECIATION EVENT OR SEMINAR, PLEASE TYPE "YES" BESIDE THE ITEM/S BELOW AND RETURN THIS EMAIL IN ORDER TO RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS:
___Lincoln-Leadership
___Personal Productivity-Time Management
___Macroforces and Trends in American Society
___Keynote Presentation LESSONS FROM LEGENDS (Powerful stories from interview with famous high achievers)
___Executive Coaching   (For a description of the program, click here.  http://www.theamericans.us/Executive%20Coaching.html
 
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Click here to watch excerpts from the Lincoln presentation in streaming video.
www.presidentlincoln.com/1.html  

VALUABLE RESOURCES 
***THE WORDS LINCOLN LIVED BY www.achievementdigest.com/thewordslincolnlivedby.html
 
***TIME TACTICS OF VERY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE www.achievementdigest.com/timetacticsofverysuccessfulpeople.html
  
***99 WAYS TO GET MORE OUT OF EVERY DAY: www.achievementdigest.com/99waystogetmorecd.html
 
***"AN EVENING WITH ABRAHAM LINCOLN" VIDEO www.achievementdigest.com/aneveningwithabraham.html
 
***"LESSONS FROM LEGENDS" CD AUDIOBOOK www.achievementdigest.com/ProductOrderForm.html
 
***"LINCOLN ON COMMUNICATION" DVD-CD  www.achievementdigest.com/lincoln%20on%20communication.html

 “Lessons From Legends”  recently was name “Best Educational Album” in the 2006 JPF Music Awards.   It is a recording before a live audience of several thousand people in which I tell stories from my exclusive interviews with celebrities.  If you’d like to obtain multiple copies of this CD, contact us directly for a quantity price.  The best way to obtain a single copy of the CD is from CD Baby.  You can hear an excerpt on-line before ordering. http://cdbaby.com/found?artist=griessman&soundlike=&album=lessons+from+legends&style=

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THE ACHIEVEMENT DIGEST--TAD, March 2005--A Unique Newsletter For Leaders