Leaders are generally encouraged after they've led courageously, but not always in the moment.
Take Abraham Lincoln for example.
He had loud critics everywhere.
One of his army commanders, George McClellan, described Lincoln (his boss) as "no more than a well-meaning baboon."
In 1863, the Chicago Times described one of Lincoln's speeches as "an offensive exhibition of boorishness and vulgarity," adding:
"By the side of it, mediocrity is superb."
The name of that speech?
The Gettysburg Address.
My point?
There are no statues of George McClellan or the Chicago Times overlooking the National Mall in Washington.
