What I Learned From Harry Truman

I recently watched the American Experience documentary about Harry Truman. I learned a lot, not only about the former President but about what it means to make yourself available when influence is needed. I learned, mostly, this is not a short journey. It’s a long journey, and it takes consistency and integrity.

My favorite line from the doc was this:

Slowly, Truman began to prove himself.

This line came in the portion of the documentary describing Truman’s behavior in the Senate.

Photo Credit: Wystan, Creative Commons

Truman’s election to the Senate was suspect. He had ties to the mob, though they were loose. He had been given aide but resented that aide and wanted to break away from it. Once in the Senate, he quietly worked to represent his state and over time began to understand how the power structure worked. He then slowly gained power by offering something positive for the average American rather than trying to look attractive to get votes.

Ultimately this paid off, though Truman could never have reasoned it would. He ended up being elected as Vice President (in an age when the President and Vice President were elected separately) and after FDR passed, took the Presidency.

What I learned from the doc about Truman was this: Slowly learn your job. Don’t seek instant fame or power. Slowly become useful for the common good. Don’t worry about fame or glory. Just be incredibly useful.

I’ll apply that to my work. I hope the same lesson helps in yours.

Let’s not be people who seek instant fame or glory. Let’s be people who help people just a little bit over a long period of time.

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Is there an example of you or someone in your life who has chosen to slowly help people over instant fame or power? Let us know in the comments below.

What I Learned From Harry Truman is a post from: Storyline Blog