Understanding & Practicing Human Relations

Abraham Lincoln, truly one of our greatest presidents, had a rather unique approach in trying a case when he was a practicing attorney. He went to great lengths to learn everything he could about what the attorney for the "other side" would say... Then, in his arguments, Lincoln would do a superb job of presenting the case from his opponent's side of the table... On occasion, the attorney for the other side would make the observation that Lincoln had presented the opposition's case better than he could have.

Perhaps you wonder why he took such an approach. First, he wanted to be fair. Second, he wanted to win the case if he believed his client was right. Needless to say, Lincoln then presented his own side with more fervor, facts, and reasons why his side was the right side. By using this procedure, Lincoln completely robbed the opposition of anything to say and built his own case in a stronger manner... He also wove in more humor and homespun stories when he presented his case. Most people, including jurors, like and trust those who give them cause to smile and who bring homespun logic to the table.

What Lincoln did was simple. He practiced great human relations and used his abundant common sense. He wanted right to prevail and when he presented his case, as a general rule, the right side did win. Think about it. Take Lincoln's approach and I'll see you at the top!

-- Zig Ziglar

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Reproduced with permission from Zig Ziglar. To visit Zig Ziglar's site, go to http://ziglar.com/insidehome/.

Copyright 2007 All rights reserved worldwide.

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Comments

[Richard Cohen]

Tony:

Fabulous post. I would also add, which is implied in your post, that listening goes a long way in understanding the other side as well as builing a relationship.

[Tony Gallegos]

Richard - Couldn't agree with you more...nice clarification.