This recurring pattern in Lincoln’s treatment of his generals is interesting because it is a familiar tactic used in many organizations today. When a subordinate is not performing adequately, rather than firing the person outright, some responsibility and authority are removed in the hope that the individual will be able to perform better with fewer responsibilities. Fairness and human dignity are preserved when this first step is employed. It gives the unsatisfactory performer a change to “turn it around.” If behavior and performance are not reversed, the next step is to get the individual
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