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| An early morning on the Six-13 - Out at the point. |
Things you don't say
I've made a few trips around the sun - like a lot. During that time I have learned the importance of observation, versus jumping to conclusions and judgement. One of the things I have learned is how to spot those that truly lead as opposed to those who simply follow. Contrary to cultural mythology, leaders are not necessarily "Type-A", or "alpha-dogs". Often they are unassuming, but deliberate. I have also learned (the hard way) to be leery - rather to steer clear of those individuals that say it out load (they are leaders). Those are the ones that get everyone killed to feed their self-righteous ego. History is full of these types. Simon Sinek has pushed the idea that leaders "always eat last". There is a lot of truth to this and is not limited to actually the meal time activities. There are those that are first in, last out and never above the smallest task. Again, this is not to be confused either with superb military strategists, but individuals that their very presence is enough to elicit your own self confidence. In the end it is never and I do mean never, the things a person says. In some cases it may not even be what action a person does, but rather who they reveal themselves to be. Charisma aside, its that person you would instinctively follow out (or in) of a burning building without having to be told to do so.
Things to know
At some point, in fact the majority of the time, even leaders have to follow someone else. But that whole "following" thing gets a bad name, as it implies weakness and lack of direction. Many a business has been built on the idea of "building leaders", with the idea a person has to be broken down and learn to follow before they can be taught to lead. This idea that you can pay a pile of cash to someone else to make you a leader flies in the face of the laws of nature. Corporate culture, the military and virtually every other organization is full of what I call cardboard leaders - people that are placed into positions of "authority" as a matter of "the process". This is largely why I personally left the corporate world after nearly four-decades. At any given moment (don't wait until the end of the day), a person needs to know why they are doing what they are doing. Are you fighting for someone else's misguided cause, or does that guy with the red flowing hair and very nice uniform actually know what he is doing (my little Big Horn reference)? Who's water are you carrying and why? Does that person (or people) that claim to be leading really believe they're acting in your best interest, or do they tell you your fall will benefit those who survive. Military history is full of these stories - again the British slaughter at Anzio comes to mind. Don't assume you are a follower and have to charge the machine gun nest for the benefit of those that will survive. Rather, consider what the objective really is and figure it out. And by the way, feeding the "machine" is never a worthy objective. Put your time, effort and blood into that place where it makes the most difference - and that is NEVER carrying the water for someone who tells you that your sacrifice is needed for the others that will follow. In doing what really matters, you will be a leader without ever having to be recognized as such.
Have a Purpose
Know why you are doing what you are doing - at all times. Have a tangible purpose to operate. All thrust and no vector is how a balloon operates. Don't blow it for the sake of doing so. Look at what you have done at the end and assess if it was truly worth your energy to have done so in the first place. Time is a funny thing. It is irrevocable and non-refundable. Are you willing to give it away so cheaply. Would you give away your last twenty-dollars without considering where it was going? Stop giving your time and energy away to things that advance other peoples causes unless you are willing to let someone else own you in the end. That isn't the same as asking "what's in it for me", but maybe you should know who is getting the cheaply sold commodity of your own time and effort. Do everything in your day with a purpose.
A Sister making a huge difference....
If you have been following this effort over the years, you certainly know how a couple of my sisters are regular contributors to the Porpoise thing. This year has been no exception. This sister is perhaps the meaning of even-keel and steady. Always a constant in the universe regardless of the surrounding environment, she is virtually immortal - kind of the Dick Clark of her own day. Ageless and reliable. Never one to seek attention, but always on station regardless of the situation. Without any prompting this year (as the whole Porpoise thing has been rather dormant), she has again jumped in for the swim - in a very big way. I have also related this story as how one of my most memorable Christmas exchange gifts was the album from 1976. Still one of my favorites mainly for being a gift, much less the content of the vinyl tracks themselves. As I write this, I'm listening to a random shuffle and the title track just came on. I do not believe in coincidence. Thanks Sis! Dick Clark could never have been as cool as you.
Important update in a few days....... Until then
Ride HARD!
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