Problem 3: Ignoring the Competition
The North entered the Civil War as a fumbling bumbling giant; the South, by contrast, outnumbered 5 to 2, was far more resourceful and tenacious.
That fact was the substance behind Lincoln’s gentle admonition to a subordinate in this example: “Are you not overcautious when you say you cannot do what the enemy is constantly doing?” Lincoln could, of course, have been far more forceful, but coming down heavy would probably not achieve his purpose. In fact a ham-fisted approach would more than likely destroy any usefulness that subordinate might have contributed to the Union cause.
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