[February 3, 2020] “I could kick myself.” The college Dean was telling his department about how she had failed to prepare her students because she had been unprepared to teach properly. I’m shocked that a college dean, with a PhD and decades of experience, could be so down on herself that it drove her into personal depression.
Leaders, stop being so pathetic! Yes, our victimhood-aggrandizing culture pushes the inexperienced, weak, self-questioning person into a lonely dependence upon others. That is not a good thing. So, snap out of it.
“The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but has no vision.” – Helen Keller, American author and political activist, blind and deaf
It’s not okay to be weak and a loser because, by doing so, you will allow all the potential you have to go to waste and not benefit others. Leaders should turn around to face the world and their fears. If they do, then all is better than what they might think. You are stronger than you think.
Here are some simple suggestions on HOW to stop being so pathetic:
- Stand up straight, look forward, shoulders back, and walk erect.
- Smile, look people in the eye and give a firm handshake.
- Talk clearly and precisely, don’t try to “win” the conversation but get your point across.
- Be as truthful as you can.
- Avoid deceitfulness, manipulation, and malevolence.
- Avoid bitterness by setting your goals on keeping yourself neat, clean, and organized.
- Avoid victimhood and revenge; otherwise, you will miss the great adventures in your life.
- Adopt responsibility for yourself, your family, your community, and your nation.
- Read more, make time for reading, be selective in what you read, but do it every day and make it a part of your life to become better informed.
There is a simple message here. Don’t pursue happiness. Don’t pursue it because happiness is fleeting and temporary. Pursue something much more meaningful and more profound. Pursue responsibility, the most responsibility that you can hold onto without being crushed. Happiness will appear during this journey; embrace it when you can but do not hold on too long.
I must agree wholeheartedly with your analysis. Also, the comments on your annual evaluation were funny but I’m sure you didn’t think so at the time.
Gen. Satterfield, I can relate to your story about the female professor who was in a depression (ie, pathetic) because she simply unprepared. I guess she wasn’t in the Boy Scouts (oops, did I write “boy” scouts – must be beaten back in line by the thought police now). I see this all the time in colleges where I live. Everyone of the admin and prof types are walking on eggshells in the hope that they are eaten by the PC crocodiles. I just laugh and make fun of them.
Right and this is serious business because these snowflakes are making our communities and nation that much weaker. The politician Bernie Sanders (and all the hyper-leftists) are purposefully doing this. It is a way to make the USA weaker and to kill democracy.
Hi everyone. Another great article from General Satterfield. Hey thanks.
The US Constitution says “… in the pursuit of happiness.” But I don’t think it was meant the way we see “happiness” today. Their definition was different. In 1776, happiness meant to be satisfied with the good things in your life, not party-like happy we see it now. Be careful interpreting things when meanings shift and change.
Good point, Jane!
Good article. Thanks Gen Satterfield for laying out some good ways to get started as a leader. This is basic leadership 101. Not advanced stuff anyway. But I will point out, that I’ve seen some very senior leaders let go and get trapped into an attitude that could use a little advice from this blog.
“Avoid victimhood and revenge” …. great start to anyone who is young these days. They all think they are victims of a giant plot against women, queer folk, muslims, blacks, hispanics, – fill in the blank victim class. I call them snowflakes and give them a rash of shit when I figure out they are so weak. Wonderful advice.
Right on comment Kenny. I too have seen this and wonder if leaders of all stripes are actually paying attention sometimes.
Some good advice overall in today’s article. This leadership blog is part of my startup daily routine.
Hi everyone, hope you saw the US Superbowl (football) contest last night. A come-from-behind victory for Kansas City Chiefs. We all can appreciate this kind of victory. The KC Chiefs were not the underdogs but actually the favored one to win. Despite a 10-10 tie at halftime, KC fell to SF’s relentless attacks. But, in the end, KC won. Go Chiefs!!
I watched the game and it was one of the best from a sports fan standpoint. I didn’t like the so-called entertainment (especially the glitzy but boring half-time show, yuch!). The whole thing started off on the wrong foot with Beyonce and Jay-Z sitting out the National Anthem. I guess the have been put down by the “man” regardless of how well they are treated. https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2020/02/beyonce-jay-z-sit-for-national-anthem.php
Because America has been so cruel to them, obviously. //sarc off
This is why I stopped watching professional football over two years ago and I’m better for it. Each time I hear something about the US Football leagues, I hear something highly political. No more. I am also boycotting any product advertised by them. Go New York Yankees (baseball).
Stop being so pathetic. How prophetic.
Ronny, a poet is among us. Thanks for the early-morning laugh. I too have questioned many of my team leaders at work about how they are just too much like the snake-oil salesman from yesteryear. ????
Much obliged, Ronny.