Posted on Sep 24, 2016
We all agree that our most valuable lessons are from the mistakes we make. Why is it we fire those who make bad mistakes?
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When we fire leaders who make mistakes, we don't get the lesson learned from the mistake. A leader retained following a big mistake has the opportunity to mentor younger leaders with the lessons learned. Is it any wonder we keep repeating mistakes?
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Leadership
Leadership
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
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I have used this before, but it bears repeating. An 0-6 CO I knew had a little sign on his desk, it read: "He who makes no decisions, makes no mistakes."
I am a firm believer in that message.
I am a firm believer in that message.
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MCPO Roger Collins
Yep. who watches the watcher? It's is like I also believe if everyone likes you, you are probably not doing your job and are not very good at maintaining combat readiness, or in the civilian world, about to seek employment with a different company. Success in your mission, normally lets your seniors know whether or not you are making too many errors in judgement. That is not true in the field of politics.
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Actually I'm OK with a number of the high profile firings. Most of them relate to up front "Don't do this" type stuff. At O-6 knife/fork school, we were hammered with don't do extramarital affairs. Don't do bribes. Don't mess up classified stuff. The list goes on. Then they turn around and do it. The common factor is hubris. They are above the law. That's exactly what we can't afford in our leadership. That I'm better than the rest of the world attitude is what causes a skipper to bypass procedure and surface his sub under a vessel, killing a lot of kids. Nope, they aren't worth the risk.
That said, the issue is whether or not lesser sins change anything. It depends on the recovery, if there is one. I've made a lot of mistakes in my career. Said some things I shouldn't have and the list goes on. I surely learned from them. However most of them my Reporting Senior wasn't aware of. Sometimes I self reported it but made sure I fixed it. So if you're visibly more capable, more perceptive, and more effective because of it, AND it can be seen by people who matter, it can be a good thing. One thing for sure, there are a number of folk who are better than you who won't screw up the way you do. That's just the bell curve in action.
That said, the issue is whether or not lesser sins change anything. It depends on the recovery, if there is one. I've made a lot of mistakes in my career. Said some things I shouldn't have and the list goes on. I surely learned from them. However most of them my Reporting Senior wasn't aware of. Sometimes I self reported it but made sure I fixed it. So if you're visibly more capable, more perceptive, and more effective because of it, AND it can be seen by people who matter, it can be a good thing. One thing for sure, there are a number of folk who are better than you who won't screw up the way you do. That's just the bell curve in action.
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LTC (Join to see)
You raise a good point with hubris. The lack of permitted candor and indulgent sycophancy disturbs me. It's always been there and due to human fallacy will always remain.
The quality I always look for is humility. With humility comes a broad opportunity for the forgiveness and the lessons learned I am suggesting with this thread.
Recently I have met spectacular intellects with boundless potential. It also seems the power associated with the corresponding achievements concern me. The dismiss with a figurative wave of the hand. How much better is the pairing of humility with such potential? Am I describing the proverbial unicorn?
The quality I always look for is humility. With humility comes a broad opportunity for the forgiveness and the lessons learned I am suggesting with this thread.
Recently I have met spectacular intellects with boundless potential. It also seems the power associated with the corresponding achievements concern me. The dismiss with a figurative wave of the hand. How much better is the pairing of humility with such potential? Am I describing the proverbial unicorn?
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"Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get when you don't." ~Pete Seeger
I agree with you Colonel.
I agree with you Colonel.
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SN Greg Wright
LTC (Join to see) - I don't think they're any question that in posterity, experience is of greater value. Education is good, but a newly-educated engineer is never going to hold the weight of an experienced one. Until they become one, of course. Just imo.
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