Setting a better standard– a lesson from Henry Kissinger

There’s much I don’t admire about Henry Kissinger; however he was a great student of history, thinker, and teacher. There’s an antidote I sometimes use when discussing how we can set a better standard and keep developing.

It was back in Kissinger’s early days in the White House. He’s then seen as this brilliant, sophisticated man, not yet having shown other aspects of his personality. The White House is pursuing several historical initiatives – establishing a relationship with ‘communist’ China, drawing the saga of the Vietnam War to a close ‘with honour’, and improving relations with their Cold War enemy, Russia (then the Soviet Union).

Kissinger is already known to also be a great speechwriter and a hard taskmaster.

Next, we meet Winston Lord. At just 20 years of age, Lord is already regarded well as a speechwriter. However, working for Kissinger is another level.

The story goes that Lord writes a speech and submits it to Kissinger.

The next morning Kissinger enquires of Lord: “Is this the best you can do?”

Lord: “Henry, I thought so, but I’ll try again.”

A few days pass. Lord has been writing and re-writing the speech. He gives it to Kissinger. The next morning Kissinger enquires: “Are you sure this is the?best?you can do?”

Lord does so many revisions of this speech that I’ll just cut to the chase. Eventually Lord, nearing the end of his tether with his famous boss, says ?“Henry! I’ve beaten my brains out – this is the ninth draft! I know it’s the best I can do; I can’t possibly improve one more word!!!”

Kissinger then looks at Lord and says?“Well, in that case, now I’ll read it.”

Let’s hope we don’t need nine reviews, but it’s a point well made. Is it the best you can do?