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“Lincoln wrote for the ear. Most politicians and academics write for the eye. Lincoln often spoke or whispered out loud before putting his Faber pencil to paper. He was fascinated by the sound of words. . . . even his written communications…
“Lincoln’s pattern was to speak or read his addresses slowly. The average person speaks at about 150 or 160 words per minute. Lincoln spoke 105 to 110 words per minute. His lower speed was an aid to hearers, especially in an outdoor environment without the aid of the technology of loudspeakers.”

Do those few words and thoughts excite you to learn more about Lincoln’s eloquent manner of speaking and writing? Then, I would recommend THE ELOQUENT PRESIDENT, A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words, by Ronald C. White, Jr. {New York: Random House, 2005).

Do you need further encouragement to read this book? How about these questions posed by the author: How did Lincoln, a person with so little formal education become our most eloquent president? Why did he often stumble when attempting to speak extemporaneously? What were his habits and methods of writing speeches? How did Lincoln develop his rhetorical skills? To find the answers to these questions, among others, you’ll have to read the book.

I’m working on a new book! This will be primarily for military men and women who are transitioning from the military to civilian life. It is based on the same principles as Take Charge of Your Life.

If you have stories you would like to share about challenges you overcame in the miitary, going into retirement, or medical discharge I’d like to hear from you. We can discuss using your story. Maybe you’d like to tell about how military life didn’t turn out as you expected. I’m interested in that, too. It does not matter how long ago the events occurred, we can probably learn something from you.
If I use your story, I will acknowledge your contribution in the book and give you a complimentary copy. I’d love to hear from you.

Queen Power hosted a Take Charge of Your Life teleclass on I was the guest speaker. phone call. Audio and transcript are available now at www.goalminds.com/takecharge.html

Academia, businesses, and government are focusing on leadership issues. When there is a glaring vacuum, we rush to fix it. Leadership development is just that: a developmental process. And most politicians were not born with leadership abilities. How is it in your business? Who are the leaders in your industry? In your organization or business?

Are you closing the last sale, focused on your most recent performance, or preparing for the next? Are you looking back and saying with regret, “If only….” Instead of gathering information about the next client, the next audience, or the next job interview?

In some instances, it’s a good idea to prepare “Lessons Learned” to benefit most by the past experience.

What did we do?

What went right?

What could have been done better? How?

The next time, I will….

And then move on–focus on the future–the next time and in the years to come. How is your industry changing? How will you and your business change? Do you have a strategic plan? Take time to think–it could be the difference between success and failure.

“Our lives are what our thoughts create.” — William James

Following are my thoughts on using active duty military personnel in domestic disasters. Feel free to post a comment at the end of this note. The latest initiative concerning natural disasters in the US is to change laws and policies concerning the use of active duty military forces. One idea being broadcast now is to devote certain active duty troops to US only support and even to place them under the command of National Guard Commanders. In my view, placing Federal active duty troops under the command of a state Governor would be a drastic mistake.

How often do we have a natural disaster like Katrina? Okay, Rita followed close on it’s heals, but how often does that happen? What will these domestic disaster troops be doing between disasters? Waiting for the next disaster? When I was in the War College, it was said that our inclination is to fight the last war. The focus is on what happened in the past rather than being forward thinking and developing scenarios of the next challenge. Yes, we need to definitely learn from the past. But aren’t we learning in Iraq that the previous battlefield exercises did not match the urban warfare we encountered? Yes, special units were prepared. And many had to be retrained quickly. What will the next conflict look like? How many mountain climbers are we training? How many spelunkers wear a uniform? “What can we learn from Star Wars.” We have been preparing for chemical/biological and even nuclear warfare for years. What does cyber warfare look like?

Isn’t it time that the citizens of this country become more self-sufficient? Let our corporations take up the burden of training their personnel how to handle emergency situations in their areas. Let them make a commitment to the common good. They have shown that spirit in providing supplies and money in these disasters. What if they had a plan in place to provide some brainpower and personnel, as well, and train them in advance. They could step in beside FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and others in an organized way. The National Guard has a mission. Let civilians be their back-up. Let the active duty military continue to focus on the defense of all of us against foreign aggression.