A Plebe’s Answer to America’s Crisis of Confidence

If you once forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens.

You can never regain their respect and esteem.

Abraham Lincoln

Over the past few months, America has experienced a seemingly endless stream of crises. These crises confront us in every newspaper and news program. Certainly, you are familiar with them. The crises that merit the most ink or air time might include the flood of illegal immigrants on our southern border; the Covid-19 (Delta Variant version) pandemic and vaccination roll-out; or the impact of the government’s financial largess on inflation and the business economy.

Don’t forget the unceremonious end to oil pipelines and drilling permits rendering America, once again, dependent of foreign oil. How about climate change initiatives focused on renewable energy and electric vehicles without recognizing our nation’s dependence on rare earth minerals and supply chains wholly located in Communist China. Then there is our government’s pandering to Iran in an effort to rejoin the Iran Nuclear Deal. Let’s not forget the rush last year to defund the police that undermined law enforcement on so many levels and created an unsurprising rise in crime. Most recently and tragically, America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan taught us that abandoning hundreds of the American citizens and thousands of our Afghan allies to a brutal terrorist regime is an acceptable political outcome.

Think about the situation we find our government in today. To many Americans our government is driven solely by political party and not the best interests of America. Choose any branch of government; executive, legislative, or judicial and identify an agency or bureau in which you have complete trust and confidence. Can you do it?

Today we recognize that political rhetoric and the abandonment of civil discourse created a chasm between friends, family, and neighbors. Where classified information is “leaked” to further a political agenda or fictitious portfolios are circulated casting a dark shadow over a political campaign. Why do Americans tolerate political agendas that advocate socialist legislation, representatives spouting anti-Semitic tropes, or executive agencies that lost sight of the laws they were sworn to uphold? Why is no one accountable? Where do we go from here?

A Plebe’s Four Answers

In the summer of 1972, as a Plebe (freshman) at the US Military Academy at West Point, I learned that you can live your life with just four answers. That’s right, just four. They are: “Yes, sir,” “No, sir,” “Sir, may I ask a question?” and “No excuse, sir.” Those four answers simplify life and I believe they can help with the crisis of confidence confronting America today and it goes to the heart of accountability.

The four answers are almost elegant in their simplicity. The first two answers are nothing more than an acknowledgement of the situation at hand. Those first response, “Yes, sir,” conveys understanding, agreement, or recognition. The second, “No, sir,” conveys the opposite. The third, “Sir, may I ask a question?” solicits clarification. When you ponder the first three answers, you might be able to live your life with just those three. But, it is the fourth answer, “No excuse, sir” that merits attention as America strives to find solutions to the challenges confronting her.

Leaders must embrace a “no excuse” mentality.

The fourth answer, “No excuse, sir” embodies the role a leader plays in an organization. It recognizes that a leader is ultimately responsible for everything a team, a business, or military unit does or fails to do. It is an acknowledgement of accountability and ownership of decisions made and outcomes accomplished. It does not deflect, lay blame, or disown that responsibility.

Today, where politicians are thrust into executive or other leadership positions, we are embarrassed by their never-ending blame game, ad hominem attacks, and ignorance of America’s Constitution and history. We watch as political integrity is laughable, legislation is passed before it is read, and legislative earmarks deepen America’s debt.

Seemingly, the failures of our political representatives could end if they embraced the “No excuse” philosophy of leadership. If only they took the time to read a bill before it is voted on and understood the nuances of our Constitution and its Amendments – all 27 of them. Look to your Oath of Office as the guiding star for your loyalty and priority. Move America first on your agenda, followed by your constituents, and then and only then, your political party. Today, our representatives seem to have those priorities reversed.

The standard of performance you must establish.

If you are a leader and you are not achieving the results America deserves and you expect, you may not have the talented subordinates needed. In that case, change the team. Bring on seasoned professionals who are experienced building up nonperforming teams and are results driven. New team members bring fresh ideas, a critical eye to existing processes, and an enthusiasm for success. Yes, change is hard and you may have team members actively sabotage remedial efforts. There are fair and objective measures to deal with those rowing against you. But you are the leader of the team and you are responsible, without excuse, for their success or failure.

Leadership is not easy. Building the best team of subordinate leaders may take a false start or two. Avoid sycophants. Seek out honest, constructive criticism from those whose opinion you respect and value. Don’t stop learning. If you want to know how to improve your team, ask those doing the work. Don’t rely on briefings, reports, or e-mails. Get away from your desk and speak to those in the trenches. Take the time to form your own opinions.

Your leadership, no matter the scale or scope of your responsibility, foretells the success or failure of your team and your mission. Good leadership demands selfless service, personal accountability, and unquestioned personal integrity. In matters of government, it demands unwavering fidelity to your Oath of Office and the people you serve without regard to the political winds blowing about. America deserves your best. You are responsible; no one else. Not your predecessor, not a subordinate; only you are responsible. Do not make excuses or accept them. Embrace the Plebe’s fourth answer and you will find your way. Let it be your standard, your touchstone. You see, for a leader, truly, there is “No excuse, sir!”

©2021, Peter Goodyear, All rights reserved