I had mixed thoughts about the lackluster marching this weekend, that looked like the troops just up and decided to take a leisurely group walk, in the rain, to the corner store. They were not feeling it, and it showed…or maybe “casual stroll” was how it was supposed to be? I imagine they’ve had to function in much worse conditions. What do I know?
It was like watching an episode of Gomer Pyle, USMC. At least he was always enthusiastic—or didn’t know better than to be any other way. Someone was always scheming to make him look foolish, or give him busy work, but he was always so determined to do a good job, and please Sgt. Carter, that he always unwittingly outsmarted those who belittled, and underestimated him. Looking bad, or performing poorly to spite someone, or to send a message, was never an option. He knew how to boost his own morale, and there are times when, like the song says, “You have to encourage yourself”.
Sometimes, remembering to respect yourself, acknowledge your skill, expertise, and reputation, and knowing who and what you represent, and what’s at stake, will help you to transcend stupid directions, ridiculous ideas, thoughtless assignments, weird directives, inappropriate choices, wacky decisions, and mediocrity, stubbornness, arrogance, and insecurity in high places. You can still execute with excellence, in spite of it all.
There are times when you have to let people know, “I’m not doing this for you, nor your glory”, just in case they get it twisted, and try to take credit for your ability, or think you’re on board with the nonsense.
You have to know who you’re truly working for. Some situations demand that you abruptly switch into “heartily, as unto the Lord” mode—and stay there— otherwise you’ll be miserable, and you’d get nothing done.
The supervisor, manager, team leader, coordinator, director, head, etc., may very well be an insufferable idiot, who makes you wonder daily how he, or she got, and still has the job, but don’t let that turn YOU into an idiot.
It is, however, a sad thing when the bad apple that spoils the whole bunch, and turns otherwise functioning, capable, serious people into apathetic, insolent, half-stepping hostages, is the person in charge.
I don’t know what I was expecting, given the anxious climate in the country, pre-parade coverage, and maps of street closures, that guaranteed that DC would not be a weekend destination, but it was actually kind of comical…rag tag…thrown together…sparsely attended…expensive. All of that money for a so-called show of might, that only revealed that somebody forgot the Wd-40.
There were zero signs of the rather impressive China-esque pomp, pageantry, and precision. Now, they know how to do a parade! This was more like when Freddy Fleet’s band infiltrated Mayberry’s. It was as if some tired person in charge said, “Look. We don’t do theatre and fluff. We kick ass. Let’s just go out there, and get this farce over with. They won’t know the difference. Whatever we do will be good enough. If we mess up; if they don’t like it, hey, whatever”.
No matter how you feel about where you are, what you’re doing, or whose idea it was, if you show up, HOW you show up and execute your role, matters. Deciding to work to the rule, or do the bare minimum, might be all you can muster, given the circumstances. Maybe you are fed up. Maybe you feel the situation or assignment is unnecessary, a waste of time and resources, poorly planned, or beneath you. Maybe you don’t gel with the other people involved, or don’t respect or have confidence in the decision- making ability of the person in charge. Maybe you resent that they couldn’t do your job if their life depended on it, but you have to take instructions from them. All of that can be true, but don’t ever dumb down, play small, feign stupidity, hold back, or succumb to mediocrity. Do your best—even in protest.
You can’t control what others around you may do. Don’t lay down your work ethic. Don’t ever act like you’re confused, bungling, or don’t know what you’re doing. Fix your face. Don’t contribute to disorder, confusion, or help make a thing worse. IT can be a disaster, and make you long for the excellence you know could exist, but YOU don’t have to sabotage your own part.
Be prepared, care, steady yourself as best you can, and knock it out of the park, no matter who is or isn’t there, or how incompetent, unprepared, or disorganized the leader may be.
Eyes and ears will be on you, not them, and you never know who’s in the room, stands, wings, or audience.
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