When Enemies Became the Best Advisors

Rea,

Most people run away from criticism. When someone points out our mistakes, our first reaction is usually to avoid that person. But what if seeking out people who disagree with you could actually make you stronger?

In 1861, Abraham Lincoln became president during one of the most dangerous times in American history. The country was splitting apart over slavery, and civil war seemed certain. Lincoln needed the best possible team to help him make difficult decisions. He could have chosen friends who would agree with everything he said. Instead, he did something different.

Lincoln appointed his biggest rivals to his cabinet - the very men who had competed against him for president. For his top advisor on foreign countries (Secretary of State), he chose a man who had called Lincoln “unfit for office.” To manage the country’s money (Secretary of the Treasury), he picked someone who thought Lincoln was incompetent. These men had publicly criticized Lincoln, questioned his abilities, and even mocked his appearance.

When asked why he chose his enemies instead of his friends, Lincoln simply said, “We need the strongest men of the party in the cabinet.” Lincoln knew that surrounding himself with people who thought differently would help him see problems from all angles.

During cabinet meetings, these rivals often argued fiercely. While other presidents might have wanted peaceful meetings where everyone agreed, Lincoln encouraged the debates. He listened carefully to all sides before making decisions. When discussing whether to free enslaved people in Confederate states, his cabinet presented completely opposite viewpoints.

The “Team of Rivals,” as historians later called them, became one of the most effective cabinets in American history. By 1863, even Lincoln’s harshest critics had become his strongest supporters. His former rival later said Lincoln was “the best man I ever knew.” During the darkest days of the Civil War, these different perspectives helped Lincoln make decisions that ultimately saved the nation.

Lincoln showed that seeking out criticism, rather than avoiding it, can lead to better results. By bringing together people with different viewpoints, he found solutions that no single person could have developed alone. Sometimes the people who challenge us the most are exactly the ones we need.

Love, Abba

P.S. Next time you receive feedback that feels uncomfortable, remember Lincoln. What might you learn from someone who sees things differently than you do?