A sequel to last week's blog ('Winning' The New Civil War), centered around the prime leader of the American Civil War: Abraham Lincoln.
Frankly, I can't can't get enough of A. Lincoln (as he normally signed his name).
And for good reason: A. Lincoln was probably the most brilliant, yet emotionally intelligent leader to ever carry out the presidency.
Yet A. Lincoln did so, against tough odds. First, Lincoln had little or no charisma; in fact, Lincoln's appearance was often compared to the countenance of a monkey; Second. Lincoln wrestled with melancholy, needing to manage significant sadness and stress, on a reoccurring basis; Third, Lincoln suffered horrific loss, losing not only the majority of his political races, but also his beloved fiance (Nancy Rutledge), along with two of his children, one of whom, Willie, died while Lincoln was in the White House; and lastly, Fourth, Lincoln needed to contend with a problematic spouse, Mary, who in large measure, was mentally unstable.
Yet, in spite of such unspeakable personal adversity, A. Lincoln led our national through probably our greatest corporate adversity, the American Civil War. Amazing!
Given Lincoln's experience with adversity, in particular, a divided country (our present reality), I got musing: what would A. Lincoln Say to D. Trump (e.g. Donald Trump)?
Counsel #1 -- Make Decency and Morality Your Top Priority. Washington has not changed; in Lincoln's day and our day, Washington is marked by egomaniacs, who major in, expediency, not virtue; in, winning, not, character. Yet Lincoln elevated virtue and character, nevertheless. As Doris Kearns Goodwin observes, Lincoln proves "...that in the hands of a truly great politician, the qualities we generally associate with decency and morality -- kindness, sensitivity, compassion, honesty, and empathy -- can also be impressive political resources..." (Doris Kearns Goodwin. Team of Rivals (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2005) xvii).
Counsel #2 -- Use Some Of My Best 'Lines.' Lincoln was, by far, the greatest Presidential speech writer, ever. His words, in his first and second inaugural address, in particular, are not only well-wordsmithed but incisive in their ability to 'cut to the heart' of a nation's need. And so, I'm guessing, A. Lincoln would welcome D. Trump accessing his greatest lines. Afterall, Melania Trump benefited from Michelle Obama's best lines (unbeknownst to Melania, at the time), so her husband would be well-advised to do likewise (bypassing Melina's faux pas, however, and giving proper credit!).
A few of Lincoln's best lines, especially for a divided land:
Yet, as Goodwin concludes: assembling such a team, was "...evidence of a profound self-confidence and a first indication of what would prove to others a most unexpected greatness..." (Doris Kearns Goodwin. Team of Rivals (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2005) xvi, emphasis added). And so -- if D. Trump truly wants to make America great again -- he needs to rise to new levels of greatness, himself. And A. Lincoln points the way, by demonstrating one of the strongest signs of self-confidence: surrounding yourself with persons who are better, smarter, and more diverse than you.
Counsel #4 -- Remember: The Way Up Is Down. Jesus' last word would be a reminder that true leadership is always servant leadership -- reflecting what John Dickson calls: humilitas.
But Christ advocates another way, modeled as He advanced His mission. Why Jesus "...had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status...Not at all...he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human...It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death...Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever..." (Philippians 2:5-10, The Message)
Well, A. Lincoln would have a lot more to say to D. Trump -- but we've covered the fundamentals. Now we need to fall on our knees, and pray for the President-Elect -- according to the command of scripture (1 Timothy 2:1-3) -- praying that he will indeed humble himself -- learning from the greatest leaders. Yes, most certainly, from A. Lincoln -- but increasingly, and more importantly -- from J. Christ.
Yet, in spite of such unspeakable personal adversity, A. Lincoln led our national through probably our greatest corporate adversity, the American Civil War. Amazing!
Given Lincoln's experience with adversity, in particular, a divided country (our present reality), I got musing: what would A. Lincoln Say to D. Trump (e.g. Donald Trump)?
Counsel #1 -- Make Decency and Morality Your Top Priority. Washington has not changed; in Lincoln's day and our day, Washington is marked by egomaniacs, who major in, expediency, not virtue; in, winning, not, character. Yet Lincoln elevated virtue and character, nevertheless. As Doris Kearns Goodwin observes, Lincoln proves "...that in the hands of a truly great politician, the qualities we generally associate with decency and morality -- kindness, sensitivity, compassion, honesty, and empathy -- can also be impressive political resources..." (Doris Kearns Goodwin. Team of Rivals (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2005) xvii).
Counsel #2 -- Use Some Of My Best 'Lines.' Lincoln was, by far, the greatest Presidential speech writer, ever. His words, in his first and second inaugural address, in particular, are not only well-wordsmithed but incisive in their ability to 'cut to the heart' of a nation's need. And so, I'm guessing, A. Lincoln would welcome D. Trump accessing his greatest lines. Afterall, Melania Trump benefited from Michelle Obama's best lines (unbeknownst to Melania, at the time), so her husband would be well-advised to do likewise (bypassing Melina's faux pas, however, and giving proper credit!).
A few of Lincoln's best lines, especially for a divided land:
"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory...will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched...by the better angels of our nature." 1st Inaugural Address
All factions in our beloved land "...looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other...let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has his own purposes..." 2nd Inaugural Address
"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right...to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle...to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." 2nd Inaugural AddressCounsel #3 -- Surround Yourself With 'A Team Of Rivals.' One of the astonishing things Lincoln did was to form his cabinet not from 'yes men' -- but rather -- political opponents -- what Doris Kearns Goodwin calls -- a "team of rivals." (Doris Kearns Goodwin. Team of Rivals (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2005) xvi). And they really were rivals, fierce competitors, who according to Goodwin: "[were] better educated and more experienced in public life than Lincoln. Their presence in the cabinet might have threatened to eclipse the obscure prairie lawyer from Springfield."(Doris Kearns Goodwin. Team of Rivals (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2005) xvi.
Yet, as Goodwin concludes: assembling such a team, was "...evidence of a profound self-confidence and a first indication of what would prove to others a most unexpected greatness..." (Doris Kearns Goodwin. Team of Rivals (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2005) xvi, emphasis added). And so -- if D. Trump truly wants to make America great again -- he needs to rise to new levels of greatness, himself. And A. Lincoln points the way, by demonstrating one of the strongest signs of self-confidence: surrounding yourself with persons who are better, smarter, and more diverse than you.
http://www.johndickson.org/books/ It is so instinctual to power over folk and to dominate and control, to advance one's mission.
But Christ advocates another way, modeled as He advanced His mission. Why Jesus "...had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status...Not at all...he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human...It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death...Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever..." (Philippians 2:5-10, The Message)
Well, A. Lincoln would have a lot more to say to D. Trump -- but we've covered the fundamentals. Now we need to fall on our knees, and pray for the President-Elect -- according to the command of scripture (1 Timothy 2:1-3) -- praying that he will indeed humble himself -- learning from the greatest leaders. Yes, most certainly, from A. Lincoln -- but increasingly, and more importantly -- from J. Christ.
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