Make More Friends from Your Enemies

Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying "When I make my enemy my friend have I not destroyed my enemy?"

It's a powerful message, filled with controversy and risk. How do I trust my enemy? Start. How can I keep myself safe? Stay courageous while developing compassion. Stay true to your values while staying curious to the voice of your opposition. Expand your boundaries while also protecting them.

It's no secret that high performance leaders must embrace a sense of paradox. Things are not always what they seem, and we are constantly defining and redefining them. Our filters are thick. Permeating our self-imposed filters can lead to better relationships.

Where do we start?

Find something to admire in your enemy and you're on the road to becoming a friend.

It may be a long road. It may be filled with bumps and hazards. But the value in traveling that road is as Abraham Lincoln said, once you've truly made your enemy your friend you now have one less enemy. And that is a powerful way to work at achieving your goals.

-- Douglas Brent Smith

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