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Abraham Lincoln is known for his storytelling.

According to his friends, Lincoln usually began all of his stories by saying, “That reminds me of a story…” And, once he started talking everyone would move in real close, so they could hear what “Old Abe” had to say.

While Lincoln’s stories, more often than not, made people laugh, they almost always had a point to them.

The stories were Lincoln’s way of making it easy for people to understand what he was saying. Yes. He could have just said what he wanted to say, but Lincoln knew that most people quickly forget what they’re told.

Stories have a way of sticking with you, and driving the point home.

Over the past year, I have taken the time to read hundreds of Lincoln’s stories, sayings, and quotes from his letters, and what really stands out to me, is his deep understanding of people. Many of his stories ring just as true today, as they did when he first told them over 150 years ago.

For business leaders, they also possess some valuable insight on how to manage your business, your employees, and your personal relationships with friends and family.

What I have done for this book is to pick out twenty-five of my favorite Lincoln stories and sayings, and present them along with examples of how they can help you solve your everyday business problems.

My suggestion is to read through all of them. Then read one a day, until you can master the knowledge they teach.

At the end of the book, after the stories, you will find a short review of the situation Lincoln found himself in when he became President, and about how he managed his soldiers, and his generals.

With all of the violence and destruction going on around him, Lincoln never once lost his temper with any of his charges. Instead he took time to learn how he could help them, and used his stories to help share his wisdom.

Example: Don’t give up to soon

General Meade was widely acclaimed as the hero of Gettysburg, and after that success one of the general’s friends told Lincoln that he should be made Commander-in-Chief of the Union Army.

“Now don’t misunderstand me,” Lincoln told the man. “I am profoundly grateful down to the bottom of my boots for what he did at Gettysburg, but I think that if I had been General Meade, I would have fought another battle.”

Lincoln understood what many people didn’t. Although Meade had made a major victory for the Union, he could have easily ended the war, if he hadn’t stopped to rest on his laurels.

Salesman hit this same barrier every day. They make a big sale early in the day, or they reach their quota, and they go home for the day thinking they did a great job. But, the best salesmen look at that big score as motivation to move forward, and hit another home run.

If I could say anything on this point, it would be this: Celebrate your victories, but before you do, know what you could be celebrating.

Too often in life, we stop just short of reaching our full potential.