Issue 742 - Disagree Agreeably


Wooden's Wisdom - Volume 13	Issue 742
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DISAGREE AGREEABLY John Wooden Video Clip (2 min. 26 sec.): Coach Wooden is asked: "How did you build cohesiveness in the 2nd and 3rd units of a team?" Coach Wooden said: "Learn to disagree without being disagreeable." Between 1981 and 1987, the most powerful Republican in America was Ronald Reagan, President of the United States. The most powerful Democrat in America was Tip O’Neill, Speaker of the House and a 30-year veteran of Congress. These two leaders demonstrated the power of "Disagree Agreeably" for the whole country. They disagreed on almost everything. Reagan believed government was often the problem. O’Neill believed government was often the solution. It was political combat. The Fights In 1981, Reagan pushed through the largest tax cut in American history. O’Neill fought it fiercely, warning it would explode deficits and tilt the system toward the wealthy. In 1983, Social Security faced insolvency. Reagan supported structural reforms. O’Neill warned that touching benefits would devastate retirees and fracture public trust. Throughout the early 1980s, Reagan dramatically increased military spending and launched the Strategic Defense Initiative. O’Neill criticized both the cost and the escalation. "Is It After Six?" Reagan had a simple rule. If Tip O’Neill called during the workday, it was business. Hard business. But if the phone rang after 6:00 p.m., Reagan would answer: "Tip, is it after six?" Because after six, they weren’t president and speaker. They were Ron and Tip. They would meet privately. Share a drink. Tell stories. Laugh. Sometimes about politics. Sometimes about life. They talked without staff and without posturing. Disagreeing agreeably. Reagan once wrote in his diary: "Tip is a real ‘POL’ — a true political pro. He can really like you personally and be a friend while politically trying to beat your head in." And O’Neill said of Reagan: "He’s a beautiful man. I just happen to disagree with his political philosophy." Reagan and O’Neil were able to : "Battle the issues and protect their relationship. The results were "Compromises That Mattered" for the whole country even today: In 1983, Reagen and O’Neil reached a bipartisan Social Security agreement that gradually raised the retirement age and adjusted payroll taxes while preserving benefits for current retirees. The program survived. Millions depend on that decision today. In 1986, they worked together on sweeping tax reform — lowering rates, closing loopholes, simplifying the code. It remains one of the most significant bipartisan tax reforms in U.S. history. As a result of their work together in 1987, the United States signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with the Soviet Union, eliminating entire categories of nuclear weapons. It was the first agreement that actually reduced nuclear arsenals and helped thaw the Cold War. The Hospital Room March 30, 1981. The president had been shot. Tip O’Neill went to the hospital. O’Neill walked to Reagan’s side, took his hands, and said softly, "God bless you, Mr. President." Reagan looked up and smiled. "Thanks for coming, Tip." Then the Speaker of the House knelt beside the bed and began to pray the 23rd Psalm. Two men who had battled fiercely over the future of the nation were suddenly quiet together in prayer. When he finished, O’Neill leaned over and kissed Ronald Reagan on the forehead. What a great example for all of us. Click here for personal development exercise: Issue 742. Click here for Printable Poetry: Issue 742. Yours in Coaching, Craig Impelman www.woodenswisdom.com Follow @woodenswisdom	COACH'S FAVORITE POETRY AND PROSE Youngster Wanted A Youngster who stands straight, sits straight, acts straight, and talks straight. A Youngster who listens carefully when spoken to, who asks questions when he does not understand, and does not ask questions about things that are none of his business. A Youngster whose fingernails are not in mourning, whose ears are clean, whose shoes are polished, whose clothes are brushed, whose hair is combed, and whose teeth are well cared for. A Youngster who moves quickly and makes as little noise about it as possible. A Youngster who whistles in the street but not where he ought to keep still. A Youngster who looks cheerful, has a ready smile for everybody, and never sulks. A Youngster who is polite to every man and respectful to every woman and girl. A Youngster who does not smoke and has no desire to learn how. A Youngster who never bullies other Youngsters or allows Youngsters to bully him. A Youngster who, when he does not know a thing, says, "I do not know"; and when he has made a mistake says, "I’m sorry"; and, when requested to do anything, immediately says, "I’ll try." A Youngster who looks you right in the eye and tells the truth every time. A Youngster who would rather lose his job or be expelled from school than tell a lie or be a cad. A Youngster who is more eager to know how to speak good English than to talk slang. A Youngster who does not want to be "smart" nor in anywise attract attention. A Youngster who is eager to read good, wholesome books.v A Youngster whom other Youngsters like. A Youngster who is perfectly at ease in the company of respectable girls. A Youngster who is not a goody-goody, a prig, or a little Pharisee, but just healthy, happy, and full of life. A Youngster who is not sorry for himself and not forever thinking and talking about himself. A Youngster who is friendly with his mother and more intimate with her than with anyone else. A Youngster who makes you feel good when he is around. This Youngster is wanted everywhere. The family wants him, the school wants him, the office wants him, the boys and girls want him, and all creation wants him. Adapted from "Boy Wanted" by Dr. Frank Crane (1861–1928)
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