tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446049270059337405.post7365922067089219161..comments2021-01-07T07:11:24.205-06:00Comments on Fen's Thoughts: #102 "The Content of Our Character"Fenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348152970109407543noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446049270059337405.post-57846117230494431602011-01-18T15:13:09.708-06:002011-01-18T15:13:09.708-06:00Fen,
Another insignful blog entry..
As a matter ...Fen,<br /><br />Another insignful blog entry..<br /><br />As a matter of fact, it reminds me of some leadership studies that I’ve done in the past. Most notably were the escapades of Henri Turenne. Henri Turenne was a French soldier who climbed the ranks to the “Marshall-General of the camps and armies of the king” in the mid-late 1600s. <br /><br />He was inspired by the workings of Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great, and recognized time and time again by Napoleon Bonaparte as one of France’s strongest leaders and was destined for greatness.<br /><br />He wasn’t catapulted to this stature because he stepped on soldiers and people to gain status, he was catapulted because of his character and undying devotion to his soldiers.<br /> <br />Turenne’s personal character wasn’t anything more than a simple and honorable soldier, endowed with much tact, but in the world of politics and intellect almost helpless in the hands of a skilful intriguer or casuist.<br /> <br />His morals, if not beyond reproach, were at least more austere than those prevalent in the age in which he lived. He was essentially a commander of regular armies. <br /><br />His life was spent with the troops; he knew how to win their affection; he tempered a severe discipline with rare generosity, and his men loved him as a comrade just as much as they admired him as a commander.<br /><br />Henri Turenne was once quoted as saying: <br /><br />“You must love soldiers in order to understand them, and understand them in order to lead them."<br /><br />Kind of makes you wonder, it seems as if this is exactly what the Army's trying to foster in their leader development programs as if it were a new technique;it has been practiced and proven since the 17th century and beyond.<br /><br />I ask you, is it the subordinate or superior that fosters the environment where status is everything?<br /><br />I'm sure your briefing will go well Fen!!<br /><br />V/R<br /><br />BobRobert Foxhttps://leadernet.army.milnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446049270059337405.post-21348457124697619342011-01-18T13:53:59.887-06:002011-01-18T13:53:59.887-06:00Our habits of thought, word and deed shape charact...Our habits of thought, word and deed shape character. Each word, phrase, utterance and thought counts. I refute claims that we are nothing more than a collection of complex chemicals that through a series of genetic mutations and natural selection have evolved the power to love. I believe that the soul exists. Knowing this impacts my life and my approach to leadership. However, I remain on guard, even while recording these thoughts, against my pride, fear of man and appetite for affirmation in a world that values intellect, relativism and aesthetics over truth, obedience and justice. FEAR - Future Events As Reality. Help to allay your hear by using historical perspective and truth.adrian clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13346771853250756883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446049270059337405.post-86052549496110958922011-01-18T07:48:20.293-06:002011-01-18T07:48:20.293-06:00This was sent to me from a friend. Very powerful ...This was sent to me from a friend. Very powerful thoughts.<br /><br />"I think the lesson you so eloquently wrote of in the terms of leadership, are present in my work everyday as well. Cancer, Parkinsons, COPD, MS are all lessons that teach you of what you can control in life and what you can't. They teach you that when all is said and done, as you lie there embracing the peace of the next world, your character is all you take with you. Not your stature, not your financial achievements, not your political power, or control you have over others. That control may define who it is sitting with you and holding your hand, it may even allow you a false sense of loyalty because even til the end, there are those who act from greed but seldom is it more apparent, the character of a man, than at his death. <br /> <br />I have sat with patients, surrounded by the most beautiful acquisitions, and no one but me to hold them as they resign to that most basic of struggle. Just to breath. Their last conversations often are of regrets they had. They talked of things they lost because they lived by authority, power, and stature or pride. Afraid of showing weakness or losing their station in life. When they got sick and it was a time for the real respect, the real leadership, the real influence they had over others to show, it was lost because they were no longer able to exert the control and fear. They lost children, brothers, sisters, parents, and friends...and the only one sitting there to clean them up if they soiled, to give them a sip of water or ice cube, to tell them it was ok, was a stranger. <br /> <br />On the other hand I have sat in the corner of a small room, in a small house, with standing room only as family and friends laughed and cried and told stories of love and honor and respect for someone who to outward appearances had little but the influence and leadership, the respect and honor they bestowed upon those in attendance were abundant and deep... everlasting. It makes you ponder your own life and how you want to be remembered and what you wish to leave in the hearts of your family and friends. <br /> <br />True leadership should be the same. It should never be about what you can SEE your subordinants do or what they do as they serve under you. It should be about what they do when they leave your authority and carry out on to their lives and jobs.. That is character. That is honor. That is leadership.<br /> <br />To lead is not to push, prod, coerce, or demand. It is to guide in a manner that men follow out of respect and admiration because they believe it is the right way and they in turn are able to carry those beliefs forward."Fenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06348152970109407543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446049270059337405.post-59292067149706614882011-01-18T07:01:46.943-06:002011-01-18T07:01:46.943-06:00Very happy the tip/article was timely....we are al...Very happy the tip/article was timely....we are all in this together....I read this article weekly and carry it with me....easily one of the most powerful stories EVER....the Stoic mindset and orientation is timeless and inarguable.....hell, it was tested in the worst possible "laboratory" on earth.....and Adm Stockdale passed the test....what we can control and what we cannot control.....if this message does not humble us, make us think and take a close look at ourselves, nothing will.....<br /><br />Joe D<br /><br /><br />"It is amazing how much can be accomplished if no cares you gets the credit" John Wooden, legendary basketball coach at UCLAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com