Little Dee

Discussion (4) ¬

1. 
   War Pig

   October 8, 2012 at 12:30 am | #

   It can be, when taking all things into consideration. However, constant fence-straddling results in nothing more than a sore crotch. The decisive make history.
2. 
   christopher

   October 8, 2012 at 7:37 am | #

   I’ve thought a lot about your comment. And I really do agree that to change, accomplish, etc you do generally have to show some decisiveness.

   But I think a lot of decisiveness is forced to be made because people judge others and it becomes a demand that one takes sides. From my own experience, I think if one can avoid judging others, it makes things better and happier all around.
3. 
   Pete Rogan

   October 8, 2012 at 11:15 am | #

   Well, the alternative is to plan ahead, and avoid moments of drama and confrontation by having one’s path already laid out, regardless of what others might expect or want. This doesn’t really forestall confrontations with those who object to the decision made and the plans already nearing fruition, but it usually means one fewer person getting flustered and then maudlin. Properly anticipated, even those can be reduced, but this takes a lot of the spontaneity out of life. Living one step ahead of everybody else means nobody’s walking with you.
4. 
   War Pig

   October 8, 2012 at 4:25 pm | #

   @Pete: Yes, and that is why they say “Be careful of the advice of wealthy persons – they do not desire competition”. Sometimes you have to walk that road alone, in the lead. After all., as they say in dogsled racing; if you aren’t the lead dog, the view doesn’t change much.

   @Chris: True, but in many cases we are forced to judge, as on a jury, or in making decisions to hire, fire, to accept a position with a company, with whom shall we make friends and whom shall we avoid socially or even professionally. We are forced to make judgements all the time, whether we realize it or not. And then there is leadership. Someone has to lead, and leaders, for good or for ill (George Washington vs Hitler, as examples), rise to the top. Most humans are afraid to make the hard decisions, that is why leadership is so valuable a commodity, and also fairly uncommon. Leaders are mostly born, but they also learn leadership as they go along. From other leaders, for the most part, although they do have to be born with the right personality traits. USMC General Chesty Puller, as natural a leader as you’ll find, read about the great Captains of history: Julius Caesar, Robert E. Lee, Napoleon, the Khans, Constantine, Sun Tzu, Ramesses, the Yellow Emperor, Moses, Joshua, Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah, Pericles, Leonidas, Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Charlemagne, Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great, King Henry V, The Black Prince of Wales, Cromwell, etc, etc.

   All people can attain some semblance of leadership and presence of mind with study and training. It is inborn in a few. One of the most valuable comments you’ll hear about a soldier, whether officer or noncom, is that he or she is a natural leader.