"On the sea there is a tradition older even than the traditions of the country itself and wiser in its age than this new custom. It is the tradition that with responsibility goes authority and with them accountability....for men will not long trust leaders who feel themselves beyond accountability for what they do."On The Collision of Wasp and Hobson"
...And when men lose confidence and trust in those who lead, order disintegrates into chaos and purposeful ships into uncontrollable derelicts."
Wall Street Journal, Editorial 14 May 1952
Read: LEADERSHIP SAVES LIVES by Commander Scott Lippold
The commanding officer of the USS Cole when it was attacked by al Qaeda in the port of Aden, Yemen, Lippold and his crew distinguished themselves by saving the ship from sinking. One of the seminal events of the war on terror, the aftermath of the attack established Lippold as one of the premiere leadership experts in America today.
Why did the Secretary of the Navy deny his promotion to Captain if his leadership was remarkable?
ReplyDeleteI think because of the Congressional pressure to hold 'someone' accountable. In sea service tradition, the Captain is always accountable for everything that happens aboard his ship.
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