Hanging Together

Back in the 1950s, I had spent eighteen months in Japan with the United States Air Force during the Korean War, away from my wife and family. It was time to go home, and we were all excited to get there before Christmas.

As we began our long trip across the waters on a troop ship, everything was going along well until we came into a terrible storm. With forty-foot waves washing over the deck, almost everyone was so sick they couldn't do any of their assigned duties.

The troop ship could not move for about three days. I was one of very few who did not get sick, so I was put on duty guarding the door going up on deck. No one was allowed on deck because they would be washed off by the waves. The men were sick and they just wanted to get some fresh air, but it was my responsibility to keep them below deck. For many, I had to use force by shoving, kicking, or whatever it took to keep them safe.

Many times I was tempted to let them past and get some fresh air, but I had to follow orders and I knew these men needed to get home to their families, too. If I let them up on deck, they probably would have fallen overboard. I knew this storm was only temporary, and if we all would hang together in this rough time, we would all reach our goal of being home for Christmas Eve.

My point is this: during this stormy time, we were a group of men who suddenly became a society of equals. We had to all work together, and our ranks didn't matter. It was difficult to push an officer back down below when he had rank over me.

I learned a great deal from this experience, including to never demean yourself as the "little guy." Always take the responsibility given to you, which can be very useful later on. It's also strictly our attitude that allows us to learn.

I was very young when I had this great responsibility of helping to save lives, but for me, it was the opportunity for leadership that had tapped me on the shoulder and said, "It's you, buddy." However, there's a big difference between being ready and being prepared.

When the opportunity comes, you have to use every resource at hand, which I have tried to do over the years. As a manager, you have to take a stand to be trusting, firm, and fair. You must hang together, even when the going gets rough. A house divided cannot stand, we must all work together to accomplish the goal.

A leader exists to serve the employees and to create an environment in which their talents can flourish; that is the leader's obligation. The only way to do that is with communication, which doesn't just include using words. Actions must be used to show them you'll go the extra mile. However, you also have to know when to push and demand.

A leader must have the support and trust of his/her group. Trust is the lubrication that makes it possible for organizations to work. A leader knows right away who is with him and who is against him.

Being a manager or leader is a great responsibility and you must be willing and prepared for the job. It also takes time, experience, and patience. With trust, people begin to see patience for what it actually is, an intelligent choice and indispensable investment.

It takes time to build both trust and a covenant. The power of a covenant is known to every great business and organization in the world. It must be renewed regularly. So, if we "hang together" in good times and rough, we'll be successful as a team.