When Abraham Lincoln was President of the United States he suffered with the men he chose to serve his Presidency. In her book Team of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwin points out a number of times when there was no unity within his team. One particular challenge came when Lincoln's close family friend Col. Baker died on October 21, 1861, in the skirmish at Ball's Bluff. General McClellan received word of his death while meeting with the President. Col. Baker was a friend of Lincoln's family from Illinois and had visited with the President and his son Willie on the day before the battle, October 20th. When Lincoln heard of the Col. Bakers death he stumbled and wept bitterly.
His death was unnecessary. General McClellan should not have sent the men into "a slight demonstration". Lincoln did not overreact he did not fire McClelland. Instead with his typical solid leadership and his plan in mind he calmy buried his close friend. Lincoln could afford to be patient because he had a plan for the country. His plan was to keep the Union intact and end the war as soon as possible.
What is your plan? You are called to lead each and every day. If you do not seize the opportunity when called upon what have you gained?
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