Winning Words 1/3/12
“Never hold discussions with the monkey when the organ grinder is in the room.” (Winston Chuchill) I’m tempted to write about Witty Winnie, as displayed in this quote. But I see it as an example of Wise Winston. If you’re going to be a leader, you have to be able to make good decisions. First of all, you’ve got to know the difference between a monkey and an organ grinder. It’s not as easy it seems. ;-) Jack

FROM JC IN HONG KONG: Or ... If you want the truth, then talk to someone privately. If you talk to them with others in the room they will "fall into line." Witness last month's N. Korea crying masses ... now there's a BIG room.////FROM JACK: Yours is an interesting comment which raises questions...What is the goal of the discussion?...Is there more than one organ grinder?...Who programs the organ?

FROM RI IN BOSTON: I love today's quote. Churchill was such a constant source of witty comments or retorts. One had better think twice before wising off with him. One of his best responses that I can remember (when he was criticized for ending a sentence with a preposition)..."That's the sort of attitude up with which I will not put!" ////FROM JACK: I once visited Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, where Churchill gave his "Iron Curtain" speech. I like this Churchill quote: "Dogs look up to you. Cats look down on you. Give me a pig. He just looks you in the eye and treats you like an equal."

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: Never hold an argument at the top of the stairs.////FROM JACK: Did you see the movie, Death Becomes Her? There was a staircase scene as you described.

FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE: Peter Drucker said that a mgr is successful if 33% of his decisions are correct, sort of like a MLB player.////FROM JACK: One could be the organ grinder at work and the monkey at home.

FROM TAMPA SHIRL: How true that is. Where are all of the leaders these days? I am still waiting for a Truman, who certainly was not in politics for the money to be gained or the perks forever.////FROM JACK: It's a new day. But it's the same old story. Even Abe Lincoln was elected facing much opposition. I like the hymn written by the Moravian preacher, Count von Zinzendorf:
Jesus, still lead on, till our rest be won,
And, although the way be cheerless,
We will follow calm and fearless,
Guide us by Thy hand to our fatherland.

If the way be drear, if the foe be near,
Let no faithless fears o’ertake us,
Let not faith and hope forsake us,
For through many a woe to our home we go.

When we seek relief from a long felt grief;
When temptations come alluring,
Make us patient and enduring;
Show us that bright shore where we weep no more.

Jesus, still lead on, till our rest be won;
Heavenly Leader, still direct us,
Still support, control, protect us,
Till we safely stand in our fatherland.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: I love witty Winston, although in the book NO ORDINARY TIME (About FDR and Eleanor) he is not presented in a positive way as their sometime house guest! One of my favorite quotes of WC, was when he was dining at state dinner, and the lady seated next to him said, "If you were my husband, I'd give you a poisoned drink! He replied, "If you were my wife, I'd drink it!" :-) He was an inspirational leader when England needed one. Much admired!////FROM JACK: No one's perfect, not even the great Churchill. Perfection is not what makes a great leader. Having a sense of humor helps.