Poise in panic: V2 B1 C13

Tags

confidence, les miserables, listening, panic, stress, vision

As panic set in amongst the French army and great numbers fled south from the battlefield: only a few remained to stand and fight. What was the right thing to do at the time? What was the best thing to do at the time? I don’t think there was any time to consider the questions – it just happened. Were those who fled were morally inferior than those who stood and fought to their deaths?

Perhaps the best way to discriminate is to say that the fleeing troops were less invested for the goal of the battle than the generals. And perhaps this is natural and necessary.

Consider now the dynamics of the workplace. In general the manager seems more invested in the strategic objectives than those who do most of the actual work.

Consider the family. The parents are more invested in the goals of training for right living and of quality family time than the children.

Any disfunction here means that there is an abusive situation where the leaders who have positional power wield it to their personal advantage. What is the leaders job if not to have greater vision and drive toward the big objective?

But poise in panic is a lofty goal. At a smaller scale, there is daily practice. I desire to have confidence in my daily living, stepping boldly and sleeping soundly. Yes, to recognize when I have been insensitive, and quick to apologize, but to be OK with some level of offense since people’s expectations are often ridiculous. Mainly,  good leadership living is to listen well to God and to others, and be slower to speak. And when I am bothered, to not jump to the extreme, and to dampen the extreme reactions of others.

Everyman by Himself: V2 B1 C12

Tags

les miserables, loneliness, retreat, solitude, vulnerability

Sauve qui peut! The ordinary French troops fled in retreat.

The destruction of the Imperial Guard was now at hand and they bravely marched to their deaths. To what purpose? What was worth dying for to them? Their nationalist pride? No, really a dedication to their leader even unto death. And it is always emotional, such dedication. Seldom considered rationally.

But what of the retreat where “everyman” was for himself? Was it any better for them? What of the man who did escape and knew that he had fled while fellow soldiers stood and fought? Would he be better off? Or would his thoughts be haunted by his past actions and find no restful solitude? Once he forsook the brotherhood of a cause unto death, could he find relief in a peaceful life with friends and neighbors? I hear the soldiers often struggle to find such rest. But the one who has, in the heat of battle, chosen to be by himself may never find companionship again.

And in our normal life in peaceful suburb, the man who chooses selfishly to live for himself, not choosing vulnerability to be known and dependent upon another, must be everyman. And as he grows crooked and alone, unchecked by perceptions from others and left to his own misguided and twisting ideas regarding himself, he must experience the loneliness and regret without a friend who knows him.

Everyman for himself

Everyman by himself.

Wellington’s leadership: V2 B1 C6

Tags

choices, Leadership, les miserables, purpose, wellington

Go for it! We can do this! I want to do this! To achieve a goal, the team members must have a common attitude. So much depends on the resolve of individual men/women in the battle. Here is an example with Wellingtons troops, many of them them novices, but apparently found that extra strength within themselves – they wanted it worse than the professional soldiers of Napoleon that they faced. And such a resolve was modeled for them by their leader.

In the chapter, Hugo describes Wellington’s unrelenting attitude, and he relates 3 statements made by Wellington to motivate his men. Basically, they are: (1) If I am killed, follow my example, (2) Hold that spot that you are on to the last man, and (3) We must not be beat because they will say bad things about us at home.

So let me generalize these three even further to apply them to myself as a leader at work.

1. Be an example of enthusiasm, commitment, and hard work.
2. Make sure everyone knows how their job is important and that the rest of the group depends on them.
3. Extrapolate to the legacy – we can be the heroes – maybe unsung – but heroes nonetheless.

We can take that mountain,

Though we die on this ground.

While the storms assail us,

We can choose right now.