Speak Softly
In my blog post from February 4 entitled "Simulation is an Instrument of Strategy," I reflected on one important lesson that I learned while receiving instruction from the US Naval War College. Here is another reflection on another lesson learned during my training.
One of my favorite quotes of all time is "speak softly and carry a big stick." The quote is attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt, although others have used it before him. Further explained, Roosevelt described his foreign policy philosophy as "the exercise of intelligent forethought and of decisive action sufficiently far in advance of any likely crisis." The President (as Governer of New York) first used the phrase in a letter written in 1900 to Henry Sprague, a member of the New York State Assembly, in which he wrote:
"I have always been fond of the West African proverb: "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." If I had not carried the big stick the Organization (The New York State Republican Party) would not have gotten behind me, and if I had yelled and blustered as Parkhurst and the similar dishonest lunatics desired, I would not have had ten votes."
Roosevelt's style of foreign policy carries on to this day and has defined America as a world power with a capable military that is prepared to respond to global situations. The phrase is often used to describe a Machiavellian ideology of gunboat diplomacy; however, I view the quote in a different light.
There is often a misconception that the practice of mindfulness and emotional intelligence implies some level of impotence. I need to clarify that being cool and calm does not mean being ineffective. People unfamiliar often think that EI and mindfulness mean not taking action. This assertion is far from the truth.
The principles of Emotional Intelligence shows us that under duress if we do not maintain control of our emotions, we are less effective.
Another favorite expression used in mindfulness circles is "respond, don't react." As we develop our brains organize so that we react swiftly to the stimulus that enters our eyes, ears and other sensory organs. Reactions might serve us well if we see a truck barreling out of control down the street right towards you. However, often we have a lightning fast reaction to negative words which we hear, or in difficult situations we may find ourselves. This reflex can often get us into trouble. Developing self-awareness about how you are likely to respond in challenging circumstances is a first step in gaining insight if your initial response is negative or non-constructive.
The same advice applies well to an organization. The US Naval War College, for instance, has planning down to a science. If a crisis erupts in the world, it is likely that a war planner has already studied the issue, and consulted case studies from historical events to generate plausible scenarios and original plans. These can be further refined using war gaming and simulation.
Recently I got this fortune from a Fortune Cookie: "Beware the fury of a patient man." I immediately thought of Roosevelt's quote when I read it.
In short, what Roosevelt advocated for in my opinion was nothing less than self and organizational awareness. Leaders, and the Organizations themselves that they lead cannot afford to lose self-control and are better off if they have the ability to execute a positive response in times of crisis.
© Edwin T. Ozawa 2017
