Get out of the Office!

I picked up Donald Phillips' book study on the leadership style of Abraham Lincoln. I was telling a friend today that I'm impressed with how enduring Lincoln has been in American life and culture. I mean we consider him on a par with the founding fathers, who were certainly Mr. Lincoln's heroes. He became President during a major test of the American experiment. The country was about to be divided in two. Yet, he saw and inspired America's staying power through the toughest of times. Slavery was abolished under his leadership. What a guy!

One thing that really stood out is that in most years he spent more time outside the White House than in! He was out where people were. Many ordinary citizens gained audience with the President. In fact, his ideal was if people sought him out, he would make space for them. During the Civil War, much time was spent in the War Department, getting the most reliable and up to date information possible. He invested a great deal of time into his cabinet members, making sure that he knew them well and they knew him well. He was the first sitting President in over 30 years to attend a session of Congress.

Lincoln is often portrayed as a stiff man, regal, and aloof. Time and history take thier tolls on personalities. People didn't just roll over and do as Lincoln desired. This guy was a leader - set apart, decisive, and geared to action. He had a sense of destiny, a calling. It was greater than the moment, yet fully lived within the bounds of minutes, days, months... May we live in our callings today. The moments beckon us...

This is very timely to me as we're building a local business called NHance (www.nhance.com). There is much to be done in the office. And there is MUCH to be done outside the office.


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0446394599/qid=1131517493/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-2293654-8989522?v=glance&s=books