Leaders must force remembrance
"The brave never die, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men." Minot J. Savage
It's September 11th, and it's time to remember. Lest we forget. Returning to horrific times like 9/11, the anniversary of the death of a loved one, or a significant failure in a team or business is hard to do. We naturally want to flush to those memories and focus instead on that which brings us peace, comfort, and joy. However, it is important to revisit tough times. Those times have something to offer us. They remind us of that which needs reminding. It is said that those who fail to remember or ignore history are doomed to repeat it. Very true.
In the case of 9/11, I compare it to Memorial Day when we, as a nation, honor and remember our fallen service members. It's supposed to hurt. The hurt reminds us to be vigilant against threats, to value and protect human life, to counter the evils which aim to destroy us, and to be good neighbors and citizens. You remember those horrendous videos and images from September 11th. You remember where you were when you first learned of the attacks. You remember those who responded on that fateful day and those who gave their lives in defense of our country in the years following. You remember as a way to pay tribute to lives lost and families left behind. We remember collectively as a nation as a way to prioritize our security against those who wish us harm so that there may never be another 9/11.
Leaders can and should take their people back to tough moments, if only momentarily, to remember and to heed their lessons. Like history, ignoring the lessons of past hardship and failure may cause their return. I've done this quite spontaneously when I smell failure or sense that my team is becoming comfortable and complacent. I'll retell a story of horror and hardship much to the chagrin of my team, yet there is goodness which comes from it. I capture or recapture their attention. I refresh the lessons of our failures bringing them to the forefront of our consciousness. I have to force it. It won't happen on its own.
Today, I remember quite a bit. I remember those horrific images. I remember the sadness I felt and the anger which boiled in me as an Army Major. I felt powerless as I watched the suffering on the TV unable to do anything. I remember those who lost their lives on that day and the years following. Perhaps as a solider remembering is easier, but I still feel the need to force myself to those places and take my team with me. It's important.
Rob Campbell
Rob Campbell