I was inordinately fortunate during my early professional career. I worked for some truly awful leaders.
Thus during the subsequent free time that life sometimes provides, I always had a full wagonload of professional grist waiting to grind. The important questions were always the same. Why had my bosses acted without apparent thought? Why didn't my supervisors understand the effects their actions had on people?
Why had our team always done everything the hard way?
Why had our team always done everything the hard way?
I had spend hours on these questions.
For the answers to these and other penetrating leadership questions, read Rear Admiral Dave Oliver, Jr.'s book, LEAD ON! A Practical Approach to Leadership
5 comments:
I have to agree with the admiral, the submarine community has created some truly awful officers.
I read this book, and if I recall correctly it's sequel, back in the nineties. His story about the XO that lied to cover up the CO's excessive speed departing port at an admiralty board only to discover that a) the civilian who was injured by the bow wake had video of the entire incident, and b) the CO had already ensured the XO's career was over, was one of the better lessons on organizational vs. personal loyalty, and doing right being its own reward.
Thanks for the recommendation. Just downloaded it to my Kindle.
Downloaded last night to my Nook. Looking forward to reading it after I finish "Kearney's March."
Captain Lambert,
By the same token I found that many leaders in the Submarine Force were outstanding. Think of every deterrent patrol made by the 41 for Freedom Submarines since 1960 and everyone of those Boats returned to their homeport. This effort was completed by Submarine Captains and crews as independent steaming patrols each of which lasted around 70 days. And many patrols were made in hostile waters to keep missiles in range of enemy targets. This may not be attributed to anything other than leadership and skill.
Very Respectfully,
Navyman834
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