Henry Ford once said that the ability to encourage others is one of life’s finest assets. The auto inventor and manufacturer knew the power of encouragement. He had learned of it as a young man.
Memorable to him was a time, at the beginning of his career, when he made a drawing of his newly built engine for Thomas A. Edison. Young Ford had endured criticism and ridicule. Most mechanical experts of that day were convinced that electric carriages would be the popular passenger cars of the future.
But attending a dinner one evening at which Edison was present, Ford began explaining his engine to the man nearest him at the table. He noticed that Edison, seated several chairs away, was listening. Finally the great man moved closer and asked the young inventor to make a drawing.
When the crude sketch was complete, Edison studied it intently, then suddenly banged his fist on the table. “Young man,” he said, “that’s the thing! You have it!”
Years later, Ford recalled, “The thump of that fist upon the table was worth worlds to me.”