[September 10, 2016] Tomorrow is the 15th anniversary of the attacks against United States’ civilians by Islamic terrorists. Within recent memory, this event cements into our minds that no one is indispensable. Yet many leaders think that they personally are essential and as such explains, in part, why those leaders hide themselves away in their offices.
“The cemeteries of the world are full of indispensable men.” – Charles De Gaulle, 18th President of France
No one is indispensable and it is time that leaders are sufficiently sophisticated and humble enough to realize it. Too many senior leaders hide themselves away with gatekeepers protecting their time; they think they are too important to mingle with the riffraff. It follows also, that many of them also believe they are irreplaceable; that their organization could not function as well without them.
On the contrary, it is the primary function of a leader – even more important for a senior leader – to be where the action is occurring within their organization. If a leader cannot accept the responsibility, requirements, and inherent risks of leadership, then it is time to resign from their employed position.
For example, a military Flag Officer who is not at the crucial point of combat will inevitable fail because he will never know the situation on the ground and make uninformed decisions. It’s time for that officer to get out of the military. Regardless of the organization, its level of complexity or importance, any senior leader who does not place themselves at the right place at the right time to “see” the ground truth, will fall short.
On September 11, 2001, many leaders in New York City and at the Pentagon believed they were indispensable to their organizations. The terror attacks dispelled that notion as many leaders found out quickly that their efforts had no effect on the situation. It was the firemen, police officers, medical personnel, volunteers, and military personnel at the lowest levels that are to be given full credit for getting through and saving lives.
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