Thursday, September 15, 2011

Stand firm

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm
Abraham Lincoln

An example:
In 1862, Lincoln, among other things he was thinking about that year, began to consider adopting a new paradigm involving freedom and citizenship for slaves in certain designated states. This would be a huge culture shift and require deft change management. Not everyone was on-board with the goal or the vision. For some, it was way too much; for others, not nearly enough. Some suggested caution: adopt a pilot program.

These considerations were the result of an emergence in purpose and justification for opposing the rebellion in the southern states: In the first three years of the war--and preamble to war--(1860-62) it was (from the North's point of view) a war to preserve a constitutional union that had no provision for de-unionization. But by 1862, the issue of slavery as it would be in the post-war had come to the fore.  And there was a need to destabilize the threat (of a southern victory--after all, in 1862, the South was winning it all) by fomenting unrest among the slave population.

In debate with his cabinet (a quaint idea in the present White House era), Lincoln decided upon an emancipation of slaves in certain states then in rebellion.  However, Lincoln, ever the decider, decided--and ended the debate.  He subsequently let is cabinet back in to work the marketing and sales rollout.

But, he decided where to put his feet, and that is where he stood!

Lincoln was not a PMP, but nevertheless, there are lessons we can learn.
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