[January 12, 2021] The world is unimaginably complex, dangerous, and unpredictable. Events happen quickly, unexpectedly. It can kill you. While we want to feel we are in control, and we are in some ways, we are often not in control. This is why we must face the danger that inevitably appears.
“He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.” – Confucius
To face danger requires a bit of luck and skill. Luck is for amateurs, but skill is something else that matters a great deal and says something about us. As leaders, we must learn and adapt to danger. We must also coach, teach, and mentor others as well.
Here are some methods (or strategies) that can help us face danger:
- Adopt the Right Attitude: Knowing we have both the responsibility and skill to succeed in the face of danger is what having the right attitude is about.
- Anticipate: “See” what is going on around you. Pay attention. Keep your eyes and ears open.
- Focus: Don’t get distracted by the small things. Get to know your surroundings and look out for change.
- Preparation: Stay informed. Learn important information. Map out various scenarios and figure out what you would do in each.
- Plan: Make specific plans and back them up with the right resources. Be active, not passive.
- Assess: Review how any danger could affect you, your family, or the community. Draw up a list and study it closely. Ask, “What you would do in a particular scenario.”
- Visualize: Imagine yourself in a dangerous situation. See yourself as in charge of others. What would you do?
- Be Flexible: Be ready to make changes in your daily life instantly. It is not the strong or smart that survive; it’s those that are most flexible.
- Get Support: Speak with friends and neighbors. Get to know people who work and live near you. What are their strengths, and what resources can they bring to the table.
- Don’t be a Victim: Victim culture puts you at an immediate disadvantage because it’s a mindset that you have no control. We all can fight to win, no matter the odds.
- Stay in Shape: Take care of your health. Don’t do those things that harm your body.
- Make Changes: Start with small changes that you are comfortable with the little things in your life. A journey begins with one step.
Not every change in the world is dangerous. Learn the difference. For every change, there is an opportunity. This applies to dangerous events as well.
Security is mostly superstition. It does not exist. Avoiding danger is no safer than direct, conscious exposure to it. Life is either boldness in action, or nothing.
Great article, Gen. Satterfield, just found it and read the whole thing. Sent also to my friends.
YES, face the danger. Be out front, take the risk, don’t say ‘no’, get on with doing what is right (know what is right first), and thru that we all do better.
This is what I like about our military. They will “face the danger” and do so willingly. 🇺🇸
Good one, Gen. Satterfield. FACE THE DANGER. Like a slogan. I posted it on my refrig. It is helping me think that doing what is hard is often the best thing. Why? Because others are NOT doing it despite the need for it to get done. For example, I know that my town needs a better set of elected officials. I’ve been trying to get some of the more honest folks here to run. They will eventually but only because I continue to push.
Thanks Jerome. Face the Danger is now one of my favs.
Yeah, I love it too. FACE THE DANGER …… real manly stuff.
Thank you, Gen. Satterfield. I enjoyed today’s article. Easy list, hard to follow them because being a good person is hard.
I do believe this is one of Gen. S’s themes .. that some things are easy to say (or to list) but very difficult to make happen. We all know, for example, that we need to stay in shape physically (easy knowledge) but we find it amazingly difficult to do. Such “hard” things require discipline and that alone is worth a thousand words to explain.
Number 1, adopt the right attitude. You can have all the skills of the best but if you don’t have the internal drive and right attitude, it will all be for nothing. This article by Gen. Satterfield really doesn’t focus on that idea but I can tell you that it matters and matters a great deal – more than any thing else. I hope that this website continues on its current trajectory to help keep leaders informed.
“For every change, there is an opportunity. ” Great quote …. might have seen it elsewhere. Thanks.
“For every problem there is an opportunity.” Anonymous
Lots of quotes, very similar, very straight forward.
Yes Tom and appreciate you being on this. Gen. Satterfield is taking a close look at the nature of mankind and saying, “hey, your first instinct is to run, but stick around and face your fears.” That is not just an important subject but is what makes the world work. 😊 Just a couple of my thoughts here. Thanks for reading my comment.
Good quote and one of my long-time favorites.
Nice list, good job Gen. S.
Yeah, and I was thinking the same thing. I will add a little bit more why I think this is a good article. First, Gen. Satterfield is being philosophical. He tends to drift that way occasionally and I’m okay with it. Second, what he is telling us is true. Not that I had any doubts but that is crucial here. Third, the advice he gives is what we all need. Instead of relying on tv and social media to help set our core values, look to the ancients for insight into what they should be. Christianity is the biggest positive contributor. My thoughts only.
Well said Eric. Good argument laid out well. I also agree. 👍
Yes, and Audrey and Eric. Keep up letting us know your thinking. Logic is not always easy to follow so explanations are necessary.