BloggeRhythms

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates memoir, "Duty," is getting significant media attention. Primarily because of his extremely tough criticism of the incumbent, especially regarding the military, where he noted an “absence of passion, this absence of a conviction of the importance of success that disturbed me." 

Large numbers of media types have now opined that in view of the Secretary’s many disagreements with the manner, approach and attitude displayed by the incumbent, he should have resigned immediately, rather than not only remaining, but disclosing his dissatisfaction in a “tell-all” publication.

I mention this because, it clearly illustrates to me a significant problem with those who sit on the sidelines critiquing issues and situations while having no personal experience or basis to draw from, yet babble on, regardless.

In my own case, though not in government, I’ve held senior managerial positions in several organizations where mergers or acquisitions have taken place. What was common to them all was that regardless of how closely related combined enterprises are to each other in appearance, “corporate cultures” very rarely mix, subjecting employees to discomfort and confusion at the least, or dismissal or redeployment of some sort at the worst.

Consequently, solid managers, and especially those with the well-being of their employees at heart, will do all they can to support and protect them, often including remaining in positions with acquirers they neither like nor respect if that’s the only avenue available to them. Because, once those caring managers resign, any ability to influence managerial decision-making is gone completely.

So, although having no information nor insight as to what  spurred Secretary Gates to remain with an administration he had little regard for, I believe his decision included serious concerns for those he was responsible for, and a desire to protect them from transitional damage or loss in their careers.  

And I can certainly identify with the Secretary's decision to remain whereas more than once I stayed on while incompetent slugs with checkbooks took over and ruined organizations built by myself and others. Because by leaving, the situations would have been even worse, employee devastation more drastic and far sooner, and I'd have had no opportunity to participate at all.

Consequently, I believe those in the media claiming Secretary Gates' decision to stay on was incorrect have one minor flaw in their argument. With no hands-on working experience whatsoever, they haven’t a shred of knowledge, capability, insight or expertise to draw on and therefore, ought to keep their opinions to themselves until they do.

That’s it for today folks.

 

Adios