Abraham Lincoln said,

 

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe”.

 

And, as you already know, it is much harder to build up people and build up business than it is to chop down a tree.

 

Eventually, Lincoln became skilled at both chopping down trees and leading people. The history books are not clear on whether or not chopping down trees came easy to Lincoln. On the other hand, there has been much written about the people challenges Lincoln experienced during the early part of his unusual career. Lincoln fought some bitter public battles, embarrassed himself, and experienced some bitter lessons before he learned how to develop strong interpersonal and leadership abilities.

 

I imagine Abe Lincoln, sitting with his back rested against a tree on a hot summer day. The sun is beating down, the leaves are rustling under just a little breeze, and the insects are humming.

 

I see Abe chewing on a piece of straw.

 

That tall hat of his is tilted down at the front, almost resting on his nose.

 

Abe is thinking to himself:

• These interpersonal things have caused such problems for me
• Maybe I should plan my dealing with people, like I plan chopping down trees?
• Say I have 6 hours to spend on a person-to-person interaction…
  • Should I spend no time planning up front and 6 hours with the people?
  • Should I spend 2 hours planning then 4 hours with the people?
  • Should I spend 4 hours up front planning then 2 hours with the people?
• I think I will spend 4 hours planning up front then 2 hours with the people
• Hold on…I just thought of a tree-axing metaphor I can use to explain why I do things that way

When Abe Lincoln did hone his people skills he was as prepared as any leader could be. His preparation served him and his countrymen well.