Peter Eckhoff via EV wrote:
It maybe that we have 512 "captains" and a Commander McBragg. All
thinking they are right and everybody else is wrong.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commander_McBragg
Certainly, we have an excess of Commander McBraggs running many of the
"ships of state" around the world. Equally, the crewmen have little
confidence in their captain's abilities, even if they themselves could
do little better.
It is fortunate that in times of crisis, great leaders often arise to
take over the situation when the old ineffective leaders cannot cope.
I am reminded of a story from "The Soul of a New Machine" by Tracy
Kidder. It documents the frantic race to save a company in the face of
overwhelming odds.
At one point, the company's CEO buys a new yacht, and takes the heads of
all his departments on a cruise. Being overconfident and inexperienced,
he sails right into a Nor'easter; a violent storm.
The CEO/captain only knows how to order people around; but not what to
do in the crisis. The other department heads are similarly inept in the
situation; They act true to form; the head of legal trying to get the
Coast Guard to rescue them or find someone to blame, the head of HR (a
doctor) treating injuries from people being thrown about, etc. Nobody is
running the ship. The head of engineering, Tom West, realizes that
incompetence will get them all killed! He decides to take charge.
Find the operating manual. What does it say to do in a storm? Batten the
hatches, turn on the bilge pumps, lower the sea anchor, drop the sails.
He has to do it himself, as no one else will listen. His motto becomes,
"Forget the rules; forget perfection. Do what works *now*!"
He saves the ship. And, he has developed the fortitude to go back and
save the company, by designing a new computer to successfully compete in
the market.
It is my hope that out of the chaos in our world situation, we will find
new leaders that can successfully navigate in the future winds of change.
Lee Hart
--
"Smooth seas do not make skilled sailors" -- Franklin D. Roosevelt
--
Lee Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, www.sunrise-ev.com
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