“The meaning of earthly existence lies, not as we have grown used to thinking, in prospering, but in the development of the soul.”
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
How a leader deals with the circumstances of life tells you a lot about their character. Crisis doesn’t necessarily make character, but it certainly does reveal it. Adversity is a crossroads which makes a person choose one of two paths: character or compromise. Every time leaders choose character, they become stronger, even if that choice brings negative consequences.
The development of character is at the heart of our development, not just as leaders, but as human beings.
What must every person know about character?
· Character is more than talk.
· Talent is a gift, but character is a choice.
· Character brings lasting success with people.
Leaders cannot rise above the limitations of their character.
In April I was asked to attend the retirement/re-launching of a wonderful friend, Col. Jill Chambers, Protocol Officer for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. The ceremony (magnificent) was held in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon. The walls of this room are lined with the names of the recipients of our nation’s highest honor, The Congressional Medal of Honor. Most have paid the ultimate sacrifice, but I have met a few who have lived to tell their story. One of the fallen heroes was Michael Monsuer.
Country western singer Michael Peterson, Steve, Col. Jill Chambers, Director of Selective Services, Bill Chatfield, and in front, Lt. Gwen Miller (Jill’s daughter).
To combat asthma, he took up swimming to strengthen his lungs at an early age. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy. This boy with asthma said he would be a Navy Seal. Well, one-third who try, make it. In September of 2004, he earned the right to wear the Navy Seal Trident.
One of Mike’s instructors said, “What’s with this Monsuer guy? He just says, ‘Roger that,’ to everything.” Mike deployed to Ramadi, Iraq in the spring of 2006 and brought that attitude with him.
Ramadi was a violent and intense area. In May of 2006, Mike and another teammate ran into the line of fire to save a wounded teammate. Under intense fire, Mike returned fire with his rifle in one hand and pulled his teammate to safety with the other. Roger that…
Then on St. Michael’s Day, September 9, 2006, Mike and two teammates had taken a position on an outcropping of a rooftop when an insurgent grenade bounced off Mike’s chest and fell in front of him. He didn’t pause for a second. Mike yelled, “Grenade!” and leapt on top of it before it exploded. Mike’s body shielded the others from the brunt of the blast and two other Seal’s were only wounded. Roger that…
Mike Monsuer died about 30 minutes later.
Mike Monsuer never led an Army or commanded a Nation, but he will never be forgotten for putting country before self. Mike Monsuer became the 4th Medal of Honor recipient in the War on Terror. It’s the Nation’s highest military distinction given for untold valor. Valor beyond anything duty requires or a superior could command.
Almost every Seal on the West Coast turned out for Mike’s funeral. As the Seal’s filed past Mike’s casket they removed their Golden Tridents from their uniforms and pressed them onto the walls of the coffin. A simple wooden coffin became a gold plated memorial to a hero named Michael Monsuer.
Petty Officer Michael Anthony Monsuer did not fail. Country first!
Roger that…
The true leader serves. Serves people. Serves their best interests, and in so doing will not always be popular, may not always impress. But because true leaders are motivated by loving concern rather than a desire for personal glory, they are willing to pay the price.”
Eugene B. Habecker
