Lessons learned

This week I found myself in a bit of a shit-storm at work. In short, an incident occurred at a camp I worked at recently, and instead of coming forward with all the proper information, I decided to go along with a story that was created to brush the situation under the rug. My boss, the Major, saw this as lying, and it obviously pissed him off. Then I lost something, and didn?t go through all the proper reporting procedures (not maliciously, just because I?m an idiot), and this also pissed him off. So?he decided to bring me down to base to give me a good talking to. He imparted some pretty good lessons, and I?d like to pass these along to you?

? When you have a good team, they?re there to support you. Think about farting. No seriously, think about it. Ok, now that you?re done giggling?. If you fart in a group of friends, you take credit for it, right? You?re not concerned if they know. If you?re part of a strong team, it?s the same thing. Take credit for it, and don?t try and pass that stink onto somebody else.

? Reporting is important. Why? All decisions are part of a bigger picture. Whether you?re right, wrong, or somewhere in between ? whether you screwed up or did the best thing ever, your decision goes beyond yourself. You need to let people (superiors) know about what?s going on. If you did well, lessons can be learned, the business can grow. If you screwed up, your superiors can fix it better than you can. Fess up, because leaders have flexibility in most matters.

? While leaders have flexibility, it is absolutely essential that they stick to their integrity. That goes for everybody. Ultimately, integrity (or, our reputation) is all we have. Once we?ve compromised that integrity, it?s gone forever. You will always be challenged on it. You lay a thousand bricks and you?re known as a brick layer, but you blow one goat, and you?re known as the goat blower for the rest of your life. One exception to the rule means people will expect multiple exceptions. You may have to hurt people along the way, but that?s part of the burden of leadership.

? And last but not least, a lesson on being a leader in a hierarchy: It's hard to wrap your brain around, but really....nothing you think matters. I know, that sounds dramatic. But in reality, you're basically a piece in the plan of somebody above you. If you remember that, it will help you think properly in your decision making process, and make the best decisions in the interest of your company. This is obviously extremely important in the Army (?Take that hill!? ?Well?.I don?t think that?s a good idea?), but it?s in play in the business world as well.

Now get back to work, crazy.