True leadership under fire

Often there is so much hyperbole thrown around in our everyday lives that go back to wars and battles. We take it for granted when we say we want to "kill the other team" or "I'm so mad I could shoot so-and-so in the face." Business leaders are guilty of these tactics too, talking about destroying the competition, taking suicide missions, etc.

One of the best examples of someone going too far is this rant from former Miami Hurricane player Kellen Winslow, Jr. in November of 2003 - the 8th month of the Iraq war and the second year of the war in Afghanistan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I82BPA5QAaQ

We like the idea sometimes of our sports stars or business leaders talking about "going to battle" and what type of leadership is needed to come out victorious. However, we sometimes forget that there are millions of Americans fighting for our freedom every single day, who truly need excellent leadership not only to win, but to stay alive every day. There might be no more important leader than a person commanding a military unit. The quick thinking, tough, and pressure filled decision making of these commanders can be the difference between life and death. Nothing is more serious than that.

My line of thought for this entry comes from an article in the Ocotber 10th Newsweek where Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, described how people constantly offer him ideas for fixing that country's problems. McChrystal is in charge of the command of operations in a war that is beginning it's 8th year this past week. In the article, McChrystal mentioned a strategy that people have asked him about called "Chaosistan". The definition of this according to McChrystal is that it's advised letting Afghanistan become a "Somalia-like haven of chaos that we simply manage from outside."

McChrystal doesn't truly believe in this line of reasoning, but has now become associated with it after mentioning it. That is what happens when you are a leader; any comment that you make and can be traced back to your name is part of your file of quotes or ideas. There is no off the record comments or brainstorming ideas when you are a leader, especially in the military. Every nuance or thought you have is scrutinized and dissected. This is also the case with the president of a country. Everybody wants to know what you think about everything and every moment. Every time you speak as a leader in that spotlight, your ideas and thoughts are out there for everyone to see.

For General McChrystal, his daily decisions affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of American service men and women. While the CEO of GM would be fired if sales slipped, and the politician that does a bad job could be voted out of office if there aren't desirable results, only a military leader truly has the day-to-day livelihood of their constituents to care over. That is why it takes a truly special leader, and a person, to be a military commander on the front lines every single day.