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About this quote

What does it mean?
Lincoln advises against making major changes during a crisis or difficult task.
In plain terms
Do not change your strategy when you are in the middle of a hard job.
What can you take from it?
Stability is crucial during critical moments.

Where it applies

  • leadership transitions
  • project management
  • war strategy

Putting it to work

  • avoiding premature changes
  • maintaining course

Questions to consider

  • When is it safe to change plans?
  • What defines a critical moment?

Another view

Sometimes changing course is necessary even during a crisis.

More from Abraham Lincoln

  1. Beware of rashness, but with energy and sleepless vigilance go forward and give us victories.

    Permalink to quote #96
  2. Men are not flattered by being shown that there has been a difference of purpose between the Almighty and them.

    Permalink to quote #98
  3. Truth is generally the best vindication against slander.

    Permalink to quote #95

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