Leaders who are A.W.O.L.

                                                             

I served in the U.S. Army during one of the most difficult periods of American history.  The  Vietnam war. The draft was in place and there were more than a few guys who wanted to be anywhere other than in military service. I can still hear the old Bobby Bare song coming from the beer garden speakers declaring "I wanna go home..dreaming of those cotton fields back home."  

Of the almost 9 million who donned the uniform, 1.5 million, at some point, went AWOL (absent with out leave) and 500,000 deserted. While some might have excused the action as "moral conviction" most who served saw it as irresponsible at best and cowardice at worst. Regardless of a persons point of view there was no tolerance by the government given to those who violated the articles in the military  code of conduct. 

Throughout my business life I have, sadly, observed so called leaders behave in a fashion of  cowardice when it comes to making the tough decisions surrounding the matters of moral absolutes or code of conduct among employees. Some of them have deserted, and many have routinely been AWOL. It hurts me deeply to watch how coworkers talk and treat each other in some organizations.

But beyond that there is an outrage within me that is stronger than my disdain of bad behavior. It is the unwillingness to be a morale voice for right and wrong. So called leaders will not take action on the bad actors because they are hiding behind possible backlash of the courts or individuals.  

If you have been a reader of this blog site, you know that I have pointed out, more than a few times, the business of "game playing" many executives engage in. They follow the trendy practice of developing "Value Statements" because some consultant told them that would be a good idea all the while most in the organization don't know what they are and certainly don't adhere to them. 

The other admonishment I have made is for companies to know who they are and what they stand for rather than  what they do and how they make money. It takes a person of principle and courage at the top to declare who we are, what behavior (code of conduct) is acceptable and what's not.

Companies like Hobby Lobby and Chick Fil A are examples of  those that operate at the WHO above the how. Both of these companies have leadership at the top who are in perfect alignment to the uncompromising principles they will operate by. They are willing to go to court to protect their organization from the "PC" crowd, unlawful mandates by the government  and are willing to forfeit revenue in order to stand on principle. There are other companies who preform like these firms do, but on the whole they are few and far between.

If it weren't so sad, it would be almost humorous to watch how those in positions of power justify and allow "exceptions" to the rules they claim are guiding principles of behavior.  I wonder to myself how can they hypnotize themselves to believe a waiver is justified when the fact is they are deserters and cowards who have gone AWOL in their leadership responsibilities?

Having work place chaplain's, wall hangings that describe company "values" and giving lofty speeches mean nothing if not lived and practiced in the midst of the "business battle" everyday. Be assured, in my own business, family and personal life I sermonize this same message. 

In our country, in our families, and in our organizations we need a "Moral Voice" at the top who declares... "This is what we stand for." "This is the code of conduct which we will all adhere to. Anything less is unacceptable. PERIOD."   It is a rare person who will stand on principle but the world is full of pretenders. In a world of relativism our leaders have sunk to new lows in standing for what is right, hoping that it will all work out okay in the end. 

Even Jesus saw this and warned people about the pretenders and those who follow the crowd rather than making the right choice for eternal life. To those hoping all would be ok in the end he said " Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it."

What about you and your organization. Do you have leaders who know who they are and have a code of conduct that describes proper behavior? Or do you have leaders who talk a good game, but in reality, they've gone AWOL?