Admiral Rickover
I was going through some old records when I found some words of wisdom from Rear Admiral H. G. Rickover. This man responsible for creating the modern nuclear-powered Navy and served later as Admiral and head of the Naval Reactors division. Some of his thoughts are listed below.
1) More than ambition, more than ability, it is rules that limit contribution; rules are the lowest common denominator of human behavior. They are a substitute for rational thought.
2) Sit down before fact with an open mind. Be prepared to give up every preconceived notion. Follow humbly wherever and to whatever abyss Nature leads, or you learn nothing. Don't push out figures when the facts are going in the opposite direction.
3) Free discussion requires an atmosphere unembarrassed by any suggestion of authority or even respect. If a subordinate always agrees with a superior he is a useless part of the organization.
4) All men are by nature conservative but conservatism in the military profession is a source of danger to the country. One must be ready to change his line sharply and suddenly, with no concern for the prejudices and memories of what was yesterday. To rest upon a formula is a slumber that, prolonged, means death.
5) Success teaches us nothing; only failure teaches.
6) Do not regard loyalty as a personal matter. A greater loyalty is one to the Navy or to the country. When you know you are absolutely right, and when you are unable to do anything about it, complete military subordination to rules becomes a form of cowardice.
7) To doubt one's own principles is the mark of a civilized man. Don't defend past actions; what is right today may be wrong tomorrow. Don't be consistent; consistency is the refuge of fools.
8) Thoughts arising from "practical" experience may be a bridle or a spur.
9) Optimism and stupidity are nearly synonymous.
10) Avoid over-coordination. We have all observed months-long delays caused by an effort to bring all activities into complete agreement with a proposed policy or procedure. While the coordination machinery is slowly grinding away, the original purpose is often lost, the essence of the proposal is being worn down, as the persons most concerned impatiently await the decision. This process has been aptly called "coordinating to death".
11) A system under which it takes three men to check what one is doing is not control; it is systematic strangulation.
12) A man, by working 24 hours a day, could multiply himself 3 times. To multiply himself more than 3 times the only recourse is to train others to take over some of his work.
As a former Navy man, I know that I was expected to follow the "orders of those appointed over me" which includes the Admiral....but in this case, I think that these are some excellent suggestions which I would contend should be applied (amended only for context) to all areas of government and political thought. If only we would apply them here in our area, then we might truly experience Fair Winds and Following Seas.
1) More than ambition, more than ability, it is rules that limit contribution; rules are the lowest common denominator of human behavior. They are a substitute for rational thought.
2) Sit down before fact with an open mind. Be prepared to give up every preconceived notion. Follow humbly wherever and to whatever abyss Nature leads, or you learn nothing. Don't push out figures when the facts are going in the opposite direction.
3) Free discussion requires an atmosphere unembarrassed by any suggestion of authority or even respect. If a subordinate always agrees with a superior he is a useless part of the organization.
4) All men are by nature conservative but conservatism in the military profession is a source of danger to the country. One must be ready to change his line sharply and suddenly, with no concern for the prejudices and memories of what was yesterday. To rest upon a formula is a slumber that, prolonged, means death.
5) Success teaches us nothing; only failure teaches.
6) Do not regard loyalty as a personal matter. A greater loyalty is one to the Navy or to the country. When you know you are absolutely right, and when you are unable to do anything about it, complete military subordination to rules becomes a form of cowardice.
7) To doubt one's own principles is the mark of a civilized man. Don't defend past actions; what is right today may be wrong tomorrow. Don't be consistent; consistency is the refuge of fools.
8) Thoughts arising from "practical" experience may be a bridle or a spur.
9) Optimism and stupidity are nearly synonymous.
10) Avoid over-coordination. We have all observed months-long delays caused by an effort to bring all activities into complete agreement with a proposed policy or procedure. While the coordination machinery is slowly grinding away, the original purpose is often lost, the essence of the proposal is being worn down, as the persons most concerned impatiently await the decision. This process has been aptly called "coordinating to death".
11) A system under which it takes three men to check what one is doing is not control; it is systematic strangulation.
12) A man, by working 24 hours a day, could multiply himself 3 times. To multiply himself more than 3 times the only recourse is to train others to take over some of his work.
As a former Navy man, I know that I was expected to follow the "orders of those appointed over me" which includes the Admiral....but in this case, I think that these are some excellent suggestions which I would contend should be applied (amended only for context) to all areas of government and political thought. If only we would apply them here in our area, then we might truly experience Fair Winds and Following Seas.
posted by DJ Trox at 11:29
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