[January 23, 2017] A basic unwritten rule in military leadership is never to criticize the outgoing leader as the incoming leader. When beginning a new leadership position, it is impossible to know everything the previous leader saw as obstacles to success. It is therefore the right thing to do to never criticize that outgoing leader.
This “rule” is followed in nearly every profession that offers, as a matter of tradition, the peaceful transfer of power. Whether it be one military commander taking over from another or from one business CEO from another, it has been customary for the incoming leader to graciously accept the new position without showing contempt for anyone.
No one can know all the constraints or restrictions the outgoing leader operated under and know everything about the complexity, volatility, and uncertainty of their mission and tasks. And while it may be common practice to never complain about the outgoing commander, it is for more than altruistic reasons.
In practice, incoming leaders are nearly always lacking in experience in the job, up-to-date information on the latest events, and with knowledge of local, informal rules of behavior. It is generally a good idea to uncover those with the cooperation of those who surrounded the previous leader; for good or for bad. Criticizing the outgoing leader will be interpreted as criticism of those who worked with that leader.
A good friend of mine said now was a good time to write about this subject. With President Donald Trump and a number of politicians having just been sworn into their new positions, it will be instructive to observe their behavior. If Trump acts according to tradition, he will curtail any criticism of Barack Obama and he will not tolerate it from his staff.
It is only a distraction from the mission when a new leader criticizes the previous leader. It can also imperil the morale of followers and stakeholders. Little good can come of it. It also belittles the new leader; regardless of who is blaming the outgoing leader for problems. One of the best pieces of advice ever given to me as an U.S. Army Lieutenant was to not blame the outgoing Platoon Leader for the mess he left me.
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