"You know what to do..."

I have previously posted a blog about mission, vision, and values (Your personal mission, vision, and values).  When I was on active duty, the Navy's core values were (and still are, by the way) Courage, Honor, and Commitment.  I still hold these three core values very close to my heart, even to this day.  They are, in fact, three of my personal core values (whether I always live up to these values is a different story, but I feel that they are important values to live by regardless).  Today, I would like to talk a little about "courage."  The word "courage" has many different meanings and interpretations.  Webster's online dictionary defines "courage" as "the ability to do something that frightens one" or "strength in the face of pain or grief."

Thomas Paine, a political activist, philosopher, and patriot from the Revolutionary War era once said, "I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflections."  "Courage" doesn't mean that you can never be afraid.  Rather, "courage" means that you still do the right thing even if you are afraid.  Courageous leaders are the ones who push forward, even when they are afraid.  Courageous leaders are the ones who stay "calm, cool, and collected" in times of stress.

The great British statesman, Winston Churchill, once said, "Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities...because it is the quality that guarantees all others."  It all starts with courage.  Courage to stand up for what you believe in.  Courage to stand up for what is right.  Courage to stand up for those who can't stand up themselves.  We need more "courage" in this world.  We need more "courage" in our leaders.

Sometimes, "courage" means "letting go."  Leaders should trust their teams to get the job done.  Courageous leaders let their front-line leaders, who are the experts (HRO: Deference to Expertise), do their job.  I am reminded of one of my favorite stories that I learned in a leadership class during "Officer Indoctrination School" at the U.S. Navy Training Center in Newport, Rhode Island.  The setting was the Battle of Cape St. George during the Solomon Islands Campaign, World War II, on November 25, 1943.  The United States Naval force was led by Captain Arleigh "31 knot" Burke, under the command of Admiral William "Bull" Halsey, Jr.  Halsey's command directive to Burke is rather instructive:

31 Knot Burke, get athwart the Buka-Rabaul evacuation line about 35 miles west of Buka.

If no enemy contact by 0300, come south to refuel same place.

If enemy contacted, you know what to do.

Note that Halsey's instructions are rather specific, down to almost the exact longitude and latitude and time of day.  However, if Burke encountered the Japanese Navy, Halsey's instructions were rather loose.  In other words, Halsey's courageous style of leadership proved that he trusted Burke would know what to do and be able to get the job done.  One could argue that the exact specifications of where to go and when were bordering on micromanagement, but the last sentence is very clear: "You know what to do."  At times, courage means saying, "You know what to do."