Not Just a Shadow!

What can we say about a shadow? For one thing there must be an object and a light source to create a shadow. For another, you cannot escape from your shadow except in the dark. Shadows are deceptive for they don’t reliably represent the object that casts them. For example, if the light source is low, the shadow is long, thin and may reach beyond eyesight. If the light source is high the shadow may be short, fat or even contained in the base of the object. If the object casting the shadow is mobile, then the form of the shadow is constantly changing.

There are a number of parallels between shadows and the reputation that results from the ethics we practice. You begin life with a shadow and likewise from a very young age you begin to create a reputation. You cannot escape your reputation. Some individuals strive to create images of themselves that are as unreliable as shadows. Their behavior is like a shadow; it changes with circumstances, location or environment. In other words it is deceptive and cannot be relied upon to truly represent the person. On the one hand, adherence to a set of ethics can develop a reliable image. This is often referred to as a person’s character. On the other, a person with an unreliable or changing behavior pattern is said to be lacking character.

Wherever an individual resides, rather it be in a family, business, organization or community of any type their behavior creates a reputation that is soon known by the entire group. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to alter that reputation as people tend to remember all of a persons actions rather than recent behavior. An oft quoted challenge says, "One act can create a reputation, it takes a lifetime to establish character.

I recall a small poster a colleague in the Pentagon had above his desk. It read:

For this reason it is not only important but vital for the individual entering a new community to strive to create a reputation that is both reliable and best represents the person’s true identity. If the change is to a new community to assume the role of a leader it is even more important that the reputation be one that inspires confidence in the subordinates. Additionally, this adds to the long term goal to establish character.

One model of leader growth identifies four levels a leader passes through to reach the highest and most effective method of leadership. This final level is called character. Further explained it means that the leader has developed such a reputation for knowledge, authority, expertise, maturity, reliability and integrity that individuals are willing to take directions from this person even if they do not personally know the leader.

In a military organization, for example, how many subordinates personally know the most senior commander? But, when the Commanding General or Fleet Admiral issues a directive it is either followed or not followed in spirit because of confidence the subordinates have in the leader’s character or lack thereof. General Bernard L. Montgomery said this about the relationship between leadership and character. "Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence."

The question that will come to mind for the leader-to-be is, "How do I develop that trait of a leader called character?" A major part of the answer is that it comes from a consistent pattern of behavior that conforms to a standard that the observer realizes the leader does not deviate from. A term common in the US Forces is that the person is building a "service reputation." The standards the leader conforms to are called ethics.

This conclusion is odd in light of the intense demands for standards and accuracy the rest of the scientific community requires. Consider the invention of the atomic clock to insure the measurement of time down to units and degrees of accuracy beyond what the average person can even understand. Or the maintenance of bars and weights that establish a world wide accepted standard of weights and measurements. Should not human behavior be measured to a standard that is universally recognized?

These three sets of ethics all contain a fatal flaw. This flaw makes them unacceptable for use as a total standard of behavior. That flaw is their subjective nature. They all grow out of an individual or groups concept of what is best for them. History is replete with examples of what at one time was acceptable behavior, even in the highest levels of society. For example, slavery, witch hunts, racial bias, multiple spouses, cannibalism, genocide etc.

This leads to the perplexing questions: who is right?, how do I model my behavior? Are there any guidelines that will not change under any circumstances? Considering this paper is addressed to men and women at the beginning of their military careers I propose some guidelines that have directed my life.

A good illustration of when to begin developing character comes from the garden. What if in the middle of August you have a sudden craving for fresh tomatoes from your garden. You can not rush to the garden, put some tomato seeds in the ground, soak them with water and expect to come there the next day a find full-grown tomatoes. Rather you must plant the seeds in the early spring and fulfill the entire growth process in order to have tomatoes in the late summer. Such is the case with character, it must be developed with care and over time.

Based on the illustration of the tomato garden above we can draw a principle of character development:

Early on I want to debunk the prevalent idea that behavior is somehow the responsibility of some factor, influence or person outside the individual. The possible exception would be the individual suffering from some mental disease or disability that prevents rational behavior. In his best selling book on molding behavior First Things First, Steven R. Covey quotes an ancient but unknown author.

Studies conducted on those United States prisoners of war who survived the North Vietnamese prison camps illustrate this point. For the most part they came to the understanding that their captors could and probably would do anything they chose to with them. The survivors also recognized that they alone could choose the time, place and type of response they had to their captors actions. In so doing they developed a sense of mental well-being that could not be crushed by the prison guards. Most who let the captors choose the type of response died.

Thus another rule of character development could be stated,

Next let me give an illustration that highlights the need to have a predetermined set of ethics in place early in a career; whether the career path be military, civilian or clergy. This illustration was given to me by a fighter pilot who was addressing a group of students. His topic was, "Being prepared for emergencies, both physical and spiritual." Imagine you are a pilot of a high performance jet midway through take-off. As the plane reaches a speed too high to abort the take-off major mechanical problems occur. The only option to save your life is a low-level ejection. At that point it is too late to attempt to read the book on ejection procedures. It has to be a learned response and occur automatically. He went on to indicate that situations arise during life that are equally unexpected but not unique. Early development of a set of ethics or behavioral standards is the preparation necessary to meet unexpected circumstances and survive with morals and character intact.

A question might be posed, "Why is it important for me to be aware of my behavior as it relates to my career?" Unaware to most of us, each day we build a reputation. Seemingly unimportant facts about our likes, dislikes, behavior patterns, etc. are being collected by those who come in contact with us. Nothing is written down, but as higher rank and additional responsibilities occur the knowledge of these traits follow wherever assignments take us. These traits form our character. And many leaders who are unknown to their subordinates are loyally followed because the subordinates knowledge of the leader’s character. Conversely, other leaders are avoided for the common knowledge of their lack of character.

To use a personal illustration; in the later years of my service career I had a succession of large commands entrusted to me. As I arrived at each one I discovered my personal secretary had determined my coffee preference and each morning I was served with a cup upon arrival. Certain phrases and words I did not like to use in correspondence were never used. Correspondence was simplified, first person pronouns were used and various other writing peculiarities of mine were promptly employed. Of course, my being "religious" was noted and I seldom heard profanity used or off-color stories repeated. On the other hand I was frequently consulted about personal and family problems and many moral issues reached my desk. All of these habits had been unofficially communicated from one command to another prior to my arrival.

Brave would be the man who said, "That’s not a very suitable color on you." Or truthful words of that type. Bye, bye relationship.

The common response is, "It looks very nice on you." And the rationalization to the lie, "I was just sparing her feelings."

Let’s suggest a possible future consequence of this little white lie. Her roommate tells her that the garment is unflattering and anyone with eyes should see that. She suspects you knew that and lied to her. Will she thank you? or suspect your veracity when you tell her of your love and that you someday want to get married.

Above I alluded to the fact that a leader’s character engenders loyalty in followers. So, I recommend you look to someone who demonstrates the highest character traits Someone who has a proven record of success in leading people.

I chose Jesus as my example. Putting aside his spiritual claims for the moment and examining his physical life (I don’t believe they can be separated) I doubt that a better example can be found. He was a highly moral person; a leader without peer, a motivator and a man who understood humanity as it exists. I want to cite a few examples. We use a common phrase in the United States; "A camel is a horse designed by a committee." The point of the phrase being that a group seldom reaches any semblance of their original objective. The result usually ends in compromise. On the other hand Jesus choose 12 diverse personalities with very little in common and changed them in to a force that, to use his critics words, "Turned the world upside down." They changed the world of their time and their actions still impact and influence us today. He did this with simple stories about life’s experiences as he encountered them and a flawless lifestyle. In this, his followers were convinced his other claims about his origin, his life and its end purpose were true.

Some might suggest that Jesus had it easy, that he encountered no problems in developing a philosophy and passing it on to his followers. But the facts in the case do not bear this out. He was under a death threat most of his life. He can well relate to the Kosovo refugees. At a very early age, due to persecution, he and his parent were forced to flee from their homeland to Egypt. They remained there until the despot that had sworn the death of the child died.

Let us look at the obstacles he faced as he began his public ministry. He was living in country that was dominated by two forces alien to his purposes. Israel was occupied by Roman legions and the religion of Rome was centered on Caesar and a panoply of Roman gods. The in-place Jewish religious leaders (who were the ruling faction) had degenerated to keeping a multitude of rules and were more interested in keeping peace with Rome and maintaining a ritualistic religion than serving God.

In some circles, due to the circumstances of his conception and birth, he was considered illegitimate. He had no formal theological training from the teachers of his time. He came from an area held in low esteem by most of the nation of Israel. At one time, a man who would one day become a devoted follower, made the comment, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" His tribal lineage was of Judah and through David, which was the source of the kings and leaders of Israel. Yet, he was not living in the city of David which prophets had said would produce the Messiah of Israel.

His trade was menial and associated with the working classes of the time. No one expected a carpenter to be qualified to speak in a local synagogue let alone the temple in Jerusalem.

He did not choose companions of stature, wealth or position in the community. Rather it seems he almost chose those who would be deemed unworthy of any accomplishment in life. In addition, many times during his public ministry he chose audiences that were considered unacceptable by the local religious leaders. The crowds that followed him were comprised of prostitutes, lepers, outcasts, rebels, tax collectors and aliens. In fact he made no effort at all to associate himself with the religious leaders of the time.

This, of course, raises the question why was he successful is establishing a religious movement that has entirely changed the world? I would propose three answers to this question. From a purely human standpoint he did not try to do this single-handedly. He chose, trained, led and inspired a handful of followers who were so caught up in what he was saying that they carried his message to the ends of the earth.

Second, his teachings were comprised of principles rather than a set of laws and regulations to follow. These principles were applicable in any set of circumstances and could be relied upon to produce results. He demonstrated over and over again that not doing work on the Sabbath was not as important as doing good whenever the opportunity presented itself.

And finally, he offered a relationship with himself that was unending. This relationship bore the imprimatur of God himself and through this relationship power was given not to attempt to please God or earn his favor but to carry out the principles he taught. In support of this statement I quote from the following statement in the Bible. From the book of Ephesians the second chapter and the 10^th verse is says, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

To attempt to list all of the leadership principles that Jesus practiced is far beyond the scope of this paper. I use him as an example of one who led a principled life. At the trial that eventually led to his crucifixion he asked his accusers, "Which of you accuses me of wrongdoing?" No accuser was found in spite of the diligent search by his enemies.

You are at a crossroads. The alternatives are: a life that is cast as a shadow following every fad, fancy and personal pleasure or one that has substance, integrity, reliability and character. The only person who can make the choice is you!