There is an Important lesson in this Story below:

Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) was a former Prime Minister in the United Kingdom.  Disraeli’s conservatism proposed a paternalistic society with the social classes intact, but with the working-class receiving support from the establishment.  He emphasized the importance of social obligation rather than individualism.

William Gladstone (1809-1898) was a Liberal Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, on 4 separate occasions. He was noted for his moralistic leadership and his emphasis on world peace, economical budgets, political reform and efforts to resolve the Irish question.

Their arguments and verbal thrashings against each other were legendary. This story was shared by a prominent socialite who happened to enjoy a private dinner with each of them over 2 consecutive evenings.

What stood out to me was her response to the question posed, “What was the difference between the two evenings and the two great leaders?”

Her reply has made an indelible impression upon me.   She said simply, “When I went out with Lord Gladstone, by the end of the evening, I thought he was the smartest person in all of England.” “When I went out with Lord Disraeli, at the end of the evening, I thought I was the smartest person in all of England.”

One could ask, what makes a Leader Effective.  I would suggest that their people skills would be critical.  And ask the question, “How they make others feel.”   It also reminds me of quote.  When some people you spend and evening; with others you invest it.

Now on to some of my favorite other quotes.

-What lies before you and what lies behind you should be of little concern to what lies within you.   Emerson

-No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

-Don’t look at others through the lens of whether they are male or female, black or white, tall or short, big or little. It’s what is inside them that counts.  Jeff Griggs

-A bad habit never goes away by itself.  It’s always an undo-it-yourself project.

-The past should be a springboard, not a hammock.  Edmond Burke

-People would worry less about what others think of them if they only realize how seldom they do.

-It is better to fail in doing something than to excel in doing nothing.  How do you know when you are through.

-No one was ever honored for what he received.  Honor has been the reward for what they gave.   Calvin Coolidge

-Criticizing another’s garden doesn’t keep the weeds out of your own.

-Following the path of least resistance is what makes people and rivers cooked.

-Your struggle may be lasting, but it is not everlasting.

-Don’t ask, “What if it doesn’t work?”  Ask instead, “What if it does?”

-If it is to be, it is up to me.

-What you don’t know through experience, you gain through exposure.

-Never judge a person’s horsepower by their exhaust.

Another perspective:  A cartoon’s captions said the following between 2 college students.  John walked up to his friend as Rick was saying, “Shoot him, shoot him.”  “Rick, what are you watching?”   Rick said, “It’s an old episode of Rat Patrol.   John said, “No actually, I believe it is a documentary on the Middle East, the Iraq-Iran War.  Rick says, “Kill him, blow him up.”  Then he stops as John looks into the audience, (us readers) and says one of the most profound comments that deserves some deep pondering.  He said, Will somebody tell us if this is real or not.  So we will know whether or not to enjoy it!”

It is how you filter people, situations, your thinking process, how you have been taught, what books you have read, …   

Another quick story:  A friend I hadn’t seen in 20 years, called out to me when I was traveling through his small town.  He used to travel quite a bit for his work.  When I knew him, all 5′ 7″ of him, he weighed about 165 lbs.  He weight now was 290 he said.  I was amazed, yet he spoke first, luckily for me.  He said, “Don’t I look great!!!  I have lost 100 lbs in the last six months.  Another 120 to go.”   Wow, my thoughts went from wow, he looks huge, to Fantastic Billy, keep it up.  We hugged briefly, yet I needed to leave for an appt.  Yet later, I reflected and wondered why I pre-judged, something everyone to some degree or another does.  A lesson learned. 

-There are a lot of ways to become a failure, yet never taking a chance is the most successful.

-Those who are given to white lies soon become color blind.

-In the presence of trouble, some people grow wings; others buy crutches.

-Victor Hugo said, “There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.”

-Some temptations come to the industrious, but all temptations attack the idle.  

-There are two kinds of men who never amount to very much:   Those who cannot do what they are told, and those who can do nothing else.

-Happiness is always an inside job

-Be like the steam kettle?  Though up to its neck in hot water, it continues to sing.

-Those who complain about the way the ball bounces are often the ones who dropped it.

-Fear and worry are interest paid in advance on something you may never own.

-How many people do you know who became successful at something they hate?

-The best helping hand you will ever find is at the end of your own arm

-There are a lot of ways to become a failure, yet never taking a chance is the most successful

-The best way to bring focus into your life is never to place a question mark where God has put a period.