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Greetings!

We’ve been asked by many of our customers for periodic, no-nonsense emails with just-in-time information for managers and knowledge workers on how organizations work. This is our 7th edition and we hope you enjoy it.

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What We're Reading

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. By Doris Kearns Goodwin. Simon & Schuster, 2005.

I have been reading this book on and off for over a year and finally committed to finishing it. I wanted to read it to see how Lincoln used 'diversity' in his cabinet to try to serve the country's best interest in a time of war. While the book is thick, and I was bogged down in the early chapters, they are important to understand how cabinet members like Seward, Chase, Bates and Stanton were 'rivals' for the 1860 Presidential nomination. William Seward was long considered to be the front-runner for the nomination and he was devastated when Lincoln was nominated instead. Yet he was the first person Lincoln invited into his cabinet with the highest-ranking job, Secretary of State. Seward, like most of the Cabinet didn't think much of Lincoln when he started. Over time they became very good friends and Seward and the rest of the cabinet with the exception of the egocentric Chase, came to regard Lincoln as a genius. One of the more interesting themes in the book is how Seward acted as sounding board and 'editor' of many of Lincoln's speeches. It seems that choosing the right phrase to avoid alienating those with diverse points of view was as important then as it is now.

Here's the essence of the story, a quote from the southern paper, the Charleston Mercury in 1865 at the beginning of Lincoln's 2nd term: "He {Lincoln} has called around him in counsel the ablest and most earnest men of his country. Where he has lacked in individual ability, learning, experience or statesmanship, he has sought it and found it... Force, energy, brains, earnestness, he has collected around him in every department. Were he not a blackguard, he would undoubtedly command our respect as a ruler. We turn our eyes to Richmond, and the contrast is appalling, sickening to our heart." (pg. 701)

There are a lot of leadership lessons from Lincoln. I was most interested in how he sought out those who disagreed with him in order to make an informed decision. He invited those who disagreed with him to tell him why, saying "When you see me doing anything that for the good of the country ought not to be done, come and tell me so, and why you think so..." (pg 369). He used a point-counterpoint technique several times to gain a better understanding of the situation. His cabinet members would prepare written arguments for a position while he would try his hand at writing out the opposite view. He practiced 'reciprocal influence'; where he put forth his view, then leaned back to take in another person's point of view, and, at times, did alter his opinion. Yet he also was 'resolute'; a word used many times to describe the core of his leadership. He gathered advice, thought long and hard and then made a decision. He was criticized for not making decisions more quickly however once he did make up his mind, he never backed down or waffled thus providing a leader the cabinet and country could get behind.

All of the themes in the book have been addressed in our past ThinZines on groupthink, decision-making and the diversity of thought and style by cross-cultural teams. While there are many good contemporary leadership books, if you enjoy reading history, this may be one of the best leadership theory books you could read and remarkably current.

We continue to offer just in time learning on all of these subjects; join us for a class on the courage to speak up, deciding how to decide, avoiding group think...

New TeleClass

Six Appreciative Assessments: How to Increase Your
Coaching & Training Business

This TeleClass will show you how to use 6 assessments in your coaching sessions or as the basis of a training module. Show your clients how to focus on their strengths in the following areas:

• Personal Listening Profile®
  
• Discovering Diversity Profile®
  
• Work Expectations Profile®
  
• Coping & Stress Profile®
  
• Team Dimensions Profile®, and
  
• Team Trust & Collaboration Assessment

These Inscape Publishing & Thin Book Publishing assessments are valid, reliable and available in an online format. Most are available in a paper version as well. We'll show you how they work as an appreciative approach.

TeleClasses are scheduled for May 15 and June 27. The registration fee is free.
Attend this free TeleClass and you'll receive $10 off of the purchase of your first assessment!

* * * * *

And on a personal note, my son turns 18 in May. When I started my adult working life in 1977, you were supposed to leave your 'personal life' at the door when you went to work. The world has changed and we now are more open to integrate our work and lives.Being a Mom has made me a better consultant. To celebrate this milestone, virtually all Thin Book Publishing products will be 18% off their normal price for the month of May.

Thanks for your interest and support.

Sue Annis Hammond
email: news@thinbook.com
phone: 888.316.9544
web: http://www.thinbook.com