ACCOUNTABILITY, AUDACITY, ENTHUSIASM

ACCOUNTABILITY, AUDACITY, ENTHUSIASM
By Andy Weddington
Friday, 01 March 2019

The first quality that is needed is audacity. Winston Churchill

Yesterday morning for 90 minutes or so I listened to a Marine general (four-star) speak.

The audience young field grade officers (all branches and some foreign officers) - there to hear a warrior teach them more still about being a warrior. 

The emcee, a colonel, professional but sounding a respectful robot introduced the general. He covered the essence of the general's remarkable service, in battle and not, and what he was going to speak about. Then he turned over the floor and microphone.

The general, human not robot, opened with humor. 

One might conclude a bit cynical considering four decades and command in three wars. 

He touched on the days when generals were in the thick of battle but anymore are sheltered by staffs. And he chaffed at the general officer's life being scripted to the minute. He did not like it.

Transitioning, he continued, humbly, thanking the colonel for the gracious introduction, the student's warm welcome, and how happy he was to be there - though noting no-one asked him what he wanted to speak about [audience laughed, me too].

And then he turned to the matter on his mind - leadership. 

He did more than speak. 

He taught. 

He taught history. 

He taught leadership. 

Mostly, without lecturing, he mentored. 

Three words he used as essential qualities, in his mind, to being a good, successful leader: accountability, audacity, enthusiasm. 

Making his case, he felt those qualities should top the leadership traits list. 

But it was another idea he spent time on that resonated most with me: simplicity. The beauty of keeping things simple. 

He cited examples, with humor, to reinforce. And spent time clarifying the difference between understanding and forgiveness. That being there can be plenty of understanding for someone's misdeeds but not forgiveness. As forgiveness moves the bar sending the wrong message. His framing more thoughtful than my simple summary. 

The critical importance of walking around leadership he injected throughout. Generals must get out and about - every day - down to the business level to understand what is going on. They must! 

Passion, sometimes with request of forgiveness, complemented his words.

As I listened, questions. 

For example ...

Why am I, 13 years retired, just now hearing this?

Why is not everyone in uniform exposed to this exemplary - simple in idea, complex in practice - leadership from the beginning of service? 

Is there a better foundation from which to develop leaders (after all, he started as a recruit and is a general)?

Not a bureaucrat, he opined common sense with practical ways and means, replete with personal experiences, to lead people - by example. 

He was as convincing as he was compelling. 

He took a few questions. Only one apologetically side-stepped for its sensitivity and soon to be addressed during testimony.

Perhaps you have been wondering where I was yesterday and whom the Marine general?

Well, commandant. 

But not commandant (current) General Neller. 

The location unusual. 

The temperature cold - teens. So sweater, coat, scarf, watchcap, and gloves - because I was sitting in my car - listening to a CD (the only player I own). 

The remarks recorded 38 years ago. 

Our 27th commandant, General Robert H. Barrow, USMC (1922-2008), spoke to the Army Command & Staff students, Fort Leavenworth. 

Brilliant! 

As germane today as yesterday. More so, in some respects. 

There was enough leadership - stressing accountability, audacity, and enthusiasm - packed into that 90 minutes or so to develop a leader from recruit to sergeant major and candidate to general. 

To that, I've asked the Marine who sent me the CD to please work on formatting into a YouTube - with video to complement audio. 

It'll go viral. 

Stand by, I hope to write ever-so-brief intro for it soon. 

I'm now heading back to the car to listen again.