Napoleon's Colonel - 1st Edition
Team, from time to time, it's important to broadcast some inspirational
leadership tidbits with the intent to provoke thought, discussion, action,
and - perhaps, most importantly - make us more professional. I will endeavor
to provide some missives from time to time, either borrowed or original as
necessary....so, use them or toss them at will and, also, please feel free to
share at will.
If anyone isn't tracking, "Napoleon's Colonel" is a lame riff off of
"Napoleon's Corporal" (the basic gist of which is laid out below). In any
event, we all have a responsibility to let the boss know if his plans are too
complicated, simply don't make sense, or just plain suck...since, after all,
our subordinates are the ones that have to execute. The play on this theme
applies to every rank...and certainly should if we seek to rise to the
aspirational vision of our ethos (an Leading Marines). In any event, if you
don't train your people as if you expect to be the first one shot in combat,
you likely need to get a new line of work.
OK, today's missive is about taking charge of your problems -- your
Monkeys -- and not making them someone else's. In this Harvard Business
Review classic (December 1974!), the discussion is about not dishing off
problems to your boss (or the EA) to solve when you should rightfully be
taking care of them at your own level. I would urge you to read, reread, and
reflect on the message in the article as you sit exasperated and wonder why
Napoleon's Colonel is getting into you for not taking care of your business.
Understanding this concept is one of the key's to discerning yourself from the
crowd of lemmings that simply pass off their problems to others. Beware, they
are everywhere...don't be one of those. (https://hbr.org/1999/11/management-time-whos-got-the-monkey)
Also, if you have been living under a rock, I recommend you take the time
to peruse the "Military Leader" blog site (http://www.themilitaryleader.com/).
You can criticize it for being Army-centric if it makes you feel better but
you cannot fail to appreciate that it's chocked full of wholesome good
leadership information and links to a trove of professional military education
that will only make you richer. So, get some!
"Napoleon's Corporal" Background: If you don't know the story, it's
commonly known as military lore. Napoleon recognized how vital it was to have
an enlisted soldier in the planning process. During every Battle Plans
briefing Napoleon would have a Corporal shine his boots knowing that the
Corporal was listening. Once the General Staff finished the brief, Napoleon
would look down at the Corporal and asked if he understood the plan. If the
Corporal answered, Yes Sir! The General would have his Staff execute the plan.
If the Corporal answered, No Sir! The General would have the General Staff
rewrite the plan.
Keep moving forward.
leadership tidbits with the intent to provoke thought, discussion, action,
and - perhaps, most importantly - make us more professional. I will endeavor
to provide some missives from time to time, either borrowed or original as
necessary....so, use them or toss them at will and, also, please feel free to
share at will.
If anyone isn't tracking, "Napoleon's Colonel" is a lame riff off of
"Napoleon's Corporal" (the basic gist of which is laid out below). In any
event, we all have a responsibility to let the boss know if his plans are too
complicated, simply don't make sense, or just plain suck...since, after all,
our subordinates are the ones that have to execute. The play on this theme
applies to every rank...and certainly should if we seek to rise to the
aspirational vision of our ethos (an Leading Marines). In any event, if you
don't train your people as if you expect to be the first one shot in combat,
you likely need to get a new line of work.
OK, today's missive is about taking charge of your problems -- your
Monkeys -- and not making them someone else's. In this Harvard Business
Review classic (December 1974!), the discussion is about not dishing off
problems to your boss (or the EA) to solve when you should rightfully be
taking care of them at your own level. I would urge you to read, reread, and
reflect on the message in the article as you sit exasperated and wonder why
Napoleon's Colonel is getting into you for not taking care of your business.
Understanding this concept is one of the key's to discerning yourself from the
crowd of lemmings that simply pass off their problems to others. Beware, they
are everywhere...don't be one of those. (https://hbr.org/1999/11/management-time-whos-got-the-monkey)
Also, if you have been living under a rock, I recommend you take the time
to peruse the "Military Leader" blog site (http://www.themilitaryleader.com/).
You can criticize it for being Army-centric if it makes you feel better but
you cannot fail to appreciate that it's chocked full of wholesome good
leadership information and links to a trove of professional military education
that will only make you richer. So, get some!
"Napoleon's Corporal" Background: If you don't know the story, it's
commonly known as military lore. Napoleon recognized how vital it was to have
an enlisted soldier in the planning process. During every Battle Plans
briefing Napoleon would have a Corporal shine his boots knowing that the
Corporal was listening. Once the General Staff finished the brief, Napoleon
would look down at the Corporal and asked if he understood the plan. If the
Corporal answered, Yes Sir! The General would have his Staff execute the plan.
If the Corporal answered, No Sir! The General would have the General Staff
rewrite the plan.
Keep moving forward.
Comments
Post a Comment