Experience and character count

Experience and character count, particularly at the top of any organization.  Whether it be the CEO, Executive Director, or President, every organization (political, government, business, etc.) with a leadership position warrants having a leader who possesses both experience and character.

Recently, the CEO of an organization in which I was formerly employed made another in a long list of abysmal decisions.  (The lengthy list is why I chose to depart.)  In this most recent incident, a senior staff member was discharged, under what might be called questionable circumstances.  But it is not the decision to discharge an employee about which I write, because in "at will" states, an organization can release anyone at any time.  I support this as a necessary, if unpleasant, aspect of doing business.

In this case, immediately after, if not coincident with, discharging the senior staff member, the CEO posted a statement on the organization's website.  The statement implied the senior staff member had done something significantly inappropriate, if not illegal.  This is not the first time the CEO had made public pronouncements about employees, ranging from castigation to character assassination.  I wonder what possesses such an individual to do something of this nature?

The answer is quite simple.  At the time of hiring, the CEO lacked the requisite experience necessary for managing and leading a large, diverse organization.  This individual had no history of any significant leadership positions, let alone running large and dynamic organizations.  Nor did the CEO have any experience in the specific industry.  

Experience does matter. It matters a great deal.

For comparison, in the military, an unseasoned, inexperienced Second Lieutenant is not given command of a thousands strong Division.  Second Lieutenants need to be developed, in both their profession and leadership.  As junior officers, they will make mistakes.  Most of these mistakes, however, can be tamped or mitigated by the more experienced officers above them.  Over time, the young officer gains experience, not only in his military specialty, but equally critically in leadership.  How to educate, motivate, inspire, and lead those assigned under him.

The young officer's errors do not have adverse impact organization wide.  He learns from his mistakes and grows to assume positions of greater authority and responsibility.  Initially, however, many Second Lieutenants focus on the authority they've been granted, not the responsibility they need to shoulder.  Consequently, some Second Lieutenants become dictatorial, assuming that leadership means simply ordering folks to do one thing or another.

Those young officers with promise learn, as the seasoned enlisted leaders help them understand that character is an essential leadership trait.  For example, credit is always given to the subordinates, while criticism is shouldered and accepted by the officer.

Unfortunately, the CEO to whom I refer has never passed beyond the level of acting like a young, immature, inexperienced officer.  Character hasn't been displayed.  The lack of experience results in very poor to unsatisfactory decisions.

Consequently, the combination of lack of experience and character deficiency are adversely impacting the entire organization.  Though I departed more than a year ago, I still receive contact from former and current employees, complaining about the CEO and his abysmal actions.

In the specific case cited above, no website statement was necessary.  It read as if the CEO was attempting to publicly justify his actions, though it was done poorly.  A leader with character can deal with the termination of employment with dignity and appropriate professionalism.

However, if one has neither experience or character, this isn't likely to occur.  

Being a Marine is special

Last Friday I had the privilege of accompanying the sister of a deceased Marine buddy, and her family, as they gathered at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego for graduation.  My buddy's nephew joined in the ceremony with his fellow Marines from Platoon 1013 on a cool and pleasant morning, marching where his uncle (Colonel C. L. Dockery, U. S. Marine Corps, Retired) had marched back in 1965.

Prior to graduation, MCRD hosts a Morning Colors Ceremony, at which the Commanding General speaks and the National Colors (US Flag) are raised.  Additionally, on special occasions, awards are presented.  That morning was one such special occasion, as two Privates First Class were awarded a Silver Star and Bronze Star w/V for actions in the battle for Hill 881 South in the first Battle for Khe Sanh, Vietnam.  The heroics displayed by these two men were astounding, in a battle in which 75% of the roughly 100 members of their Marine Rifle Company were casualties, including 25 killed and more than 50 wounded.  During their comments after receiving the awards, each spoke of the Marine brotherhood and having merely done their jobs.  The Silver Star recipient spoke eloquently, stating that he was scared spitless.  Continuing, he said his biggest fear, however, was the thought of letting his fellow Marines down.  The Bronze Star recipient, in a halting voice, wondered how many of his buddies fell after his machine gun team was taken out of the fight by enemy fire (his gunner was killed and he took a round through the mouth and into the head).  Some of the other surviving members of M/3/3 (Mike Company, 3^rd Battalion, 3^rd Marine Regiment) attended, to watch their comrades finally be recognized for battlefield heroism.  Though decades have passed, the Marine tradition of recognizing our brothers continues.  


Just prior to the Colors Ceremony, I met up with Marines with whom I served, including one former Commanding Officer.  They were in town for a reunion and it was just like old times, as we shared stories about our times together.  Two, each a retired Colonel, commented about how great is was to be back "home" on a Marine Corps base.  One lives overseas and the other lives hundreds of miles from the nearest Marine Corps installation.  As we sat listening to the awards being read, we reflected upon our time in uniform.  At the conclusion of the ceremony, we stood, as did the families of the graduating recruits around us, for the Marines' Hymn.  After the last note played, a lady behind us touched my arm.  I turned to her and she commented about how erect and proud we stood during the playing of the Hymn, observing we stood every bit as straight and proud as a nearby Corporal in uniform.  Tradition continues.


The graduation itself vividly brought to mind my final day in uniform, as I was retired at a Colors Ceremony and served as Reviewing Officer for that day's recruit graduation.  This Friday morning, as part of the ceremony, the Emcee asked all those who had served in our Corps to stand and be recognized.  The Commanding General and his commanders then stood and led the round of applause for us graybeards.  
Watching the graduation, seated next to the mother of a brand new Marine, was inspirational.  Seeing the pride and tears in her eyes and those of the other family members served as visual reminders of how valued we Marines are to our nation.  Tradition continues.

Friday night, my wife and I went to a social event at the home of a close Marine buddy, whom I've known and served with for 29 years.  At the gathering were two other Marines, one of whom (no crap) went to boot camp with the Silver Star recipient noted above.  I spoke of the ceremony and graduation.  We talked about the history of the hill fights in Vietnam, as they were known.  We spoke of books we've each read about Marines in battle.  We poked fun at each other, in that way Marines tease one another.  We spoke of mutual Marines friends who have passed away.  We spoke of how young Marines make us proud and how the country needs to do better by them.  The tradition continues. 


This weekend my Basic School Class held a reunion in Washington DC.  Since I couldn't  attend, I sent a write up about the graduation, citing how Marines are Marines and that the graduation was superb.  40 years after we graduated from The Basic School, we are still in contact and remain brothers in arms.  The tradition continues. 


So, to the non-Marine reader, the seamless traditions continue.  The rigors of boot camp remain mystical to the uninitiated.  The Marines' Hymn continues to raise goose bumps.  The camaraderie remains unshaken.  Marines ensured the recognizing of two heroes decades later (it took so many years because all the officers who would have normally processed the recommendations for the awards had been killed in the fight).  

While much challenges our nation, our Corps remains strong, in large part because being a Marine is special.

Walking naively into the sunlight

Naively, some so-called leaders of our nation, are walking into the sunlight.  Caught up in a diplomatic farce created by inexact language, they now believe a rogue will voluntarily and quickly give up the weapons that provide leverage.  Blinded by the sunlight, the so-called leaders also embrace a thug as the primary partner in this farce, trying to convince us he will see this through to a happy outcome.

While depending on rogues and thugs, the so-called leaders conveniently forget another rogue who agreed to work with US weapons inspectors, only to aggravate and stymie them time and time again.

And, insulting the intelligence and common sense of the American people, the so-called leaders would have us believe this farce was their plan all along; that the contradictory statements by the two senior US leaders were deliberate; and that the circus with Congress was exactly what they expected and desired.

It is truly dismaying the so-called leaders are naive, forgetful, and insulting.

These are not small matters, to be approached and handled as if they are academic exercises.  In the real world, words from so-called leaders have real impact. 

It is pitiful that the so-called leaders would rather walk naively into the sunlight, rather than focus on what is at hand, immediately in front of them.

     

Friends over the decades

We never truly realize the impact our interactions have with those with whom our paths cross.  When, via a chance encounter, we meet with someone from decades past, it is gratifying to be remembered.  As lives had followed different routes over the years, the immediate memories recalled from those days long ago are invariably pleasant, humorous, or simply smile producing.  To be remembered all these years later is a compliment in and of its own value.

When, after multiple decades, one receives a call from one from the past, it is surprising to say the least.  When you discover the individual has taken great effort to locate you, it is very complimentary.  When your paths haven't crossed for decades and your are no longer in the same state or even a similar profession, it is telling that one would go to such efforts to locate you.

The only conclusion to be drawn is that you've made an impact on the individual.

That is about the greatest achievement for which we can hope over the years that we travel across this world's stage.  

Post-vacation blues

Vacation time with my bride, daughter, and grand children was absolutely wonderful.  Who can't have fun with grand children?  The eldest continuously amazes with her intellect.  The middle is a guy's guy, always full of energy.  And the 10 month old baby dances when the music is turned up.  Being the grand dad is warming and fun.  Watching grand ma interact with the grand kids also provides great joy.  And, without a doubt, seeing what a wonderful parent our daughter is fills us with pride.

During the vacation, we deliberately tuned out.  No news.  No Internet.  No email.  Marvelous!

Now, post-vacation, the blues have arrived.

Our President and other elected leaders are stumbling and bumbling about Syria.  All one need do is check the Internet and papers to read the depth and breadth of the serious problems.  Pelosi ridiculously ascribes a level of sophistication and grasp of the Geo-political and international security affairs to her 5 year old grandson.  Chairman of the Joint Chiefs clearly reveals his lap dog status.  All tenants of military operations have been disregarded by the naive and uninformed sycophants surrounding the President.  The Department of Justice rails against sensible voter identification requirements.  Why should one be able to vote without a government issued photo identification, yet can't buy a beer without it?  The California Governor is considering permitting illegal immigrants serve on juries.  A Christian, family owned bakery that refused to bake a cake for a homosexual wedding is forced to close, in response to intense, negative actions by the LGBT community.  As one opinion writer observed, the Democrats preach inclusion and tolerance, but are actually exclusive and intolerant.  Since when is it permissible for someone to demand that I accept that which I find immoral based on my religious beliefs?  Anthony Weiner absurdly continues to run for Mayor of New York.  POTUS plays golf, rather than calling Congress into session.  Media types are extolling Hillary's presumptive run for President in 2016.  Hey folks!  We have some really serious problems with governance today!

About the only good news I heard was that Bob Filner is no longer Mayor of San Diego.

I love our vacations.  Based on the post-vacation blues created by reading the news, think I'll choose perpetual vacation status.