The Real Leaders!
08/11/03
On your next trip to New Orleans trade a few hours in the French Quarter for an experience you won't forget at the National D-Day Museum just blocks away. One of the men quoted in the exhibit, former Sgt. John Ellery, knew the real leaders who did the job on D-Day: "When you talk about combat leadership under fire on the beach of Normandy, I don't see how the credit can go to anyone other than the company grade officers and senior NCOs who led the war. It is good to remember that there are such men, that there always have been, and always will be. We sometimes forget, I think, that you can manufacture weapons and you can purchase ammunition, but you can't buy valor and you can't buy heroes off an assembly line."
It's the leaders on the line that make the calls that count the most. Executives may establish and drive the vision and mission of the organization. The generals establish the invasion plans. Today's corporate leaders establish expansion and reorganization plans and strategic goals. But it is the line leader's execution that makes it happen. Without them, executives and generals are left with plans, not results.
The National D-Day Museum goes beyond the plans to give you a sense of the men and women who lived out World War II in Europe and the Pacific. It's told through their stories--their lives and their tough choices. They were committed to making a difference together; many lost their lives doing so. Valor and bravery don't come from commands; they come from commitment to the cause and action. Are your line workers committed enough to the cause to act? Are they embracing and translating your mission into action? Honor your line supervisors by giving them the information, the resources, and the appreciation they deserve. If you had a museum to honor your line leaders and workers, whose stories would be in the museum? This week, let a few people know they deserve to be part of that museum and tell them why.
A PAULSON QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"If you had a museum to honor your line leaders and workers, whose stories would be in the museum? This week, let a few people know they deserve to be part of that museum and tell them why." --Terry Paulson, Ph.D.tcu
MONDAY'S MIRTHFUL MOMENT
Today's mirthful moment comes from the wonderful wit of the late Bob Hope compliments of Bob McCafferty via news.com.au. He will be missed, but he would still want us to enjoy:
"I always like to go to Washington, DC. It gives me a chance to visit my money." – On touring the US Treasury.
"My folks were English. They were too poor to be British. I still have a bit of British in me. In fact, my blood type is solid marmalade."
"Be happy you guys. Be proud! You know what you are: you're God's frozen people." – To GIs based in Alaska.
"People who throw kisses are hopelessly lazy."
"If you watch a game, it's fun. If you play it, it's recreation. If you work at it, it's golf."
"I have a wonderful make-up crew. They're the same people restoring the Statue of Liberty."
"It flies so high, I swear I heard the organs playing." – On traveling in Concorde.
...I think he is hearing the organs playing now and dancing again!
When you keep your eyes open for mirth, you just may find it! Hope this kicks off your morning and helps get your mood adjusted for the week. Now, get busy MAKING CHANGE WORK and have some fun along the way!...