articleBloggingLeadershipLeanTips for Lean Managers

It’s Your Duty to Make Things Right

Avatar photo By Steve Kane Updated on January 27th, 2020

I completed US Army basic training at Fort Dix in May of 1990. Immediately after, I went to advanced individual training (AIT) at the US Army Intelligence Center at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. Drill Sergeant Smith was my platoon drill sergeant.

Somebody Did Something Wrong

I recall several platoons gathering outside the barracks after an exercise. Drill Sergeant Smith saw a soldier walk past something that was below standard. The army, as you might imagine, is big on maintaining standards. I don’t recall the specific issue, but I’m sure it was something that, as a civilian, I would think was no big deal.

Drill Sergeant Smith ordered the soldier to stop and go back to correct the problem. The soldier replied “I didn’t do it.” Smith yelled back (because drill sergeants don’t simply speak) “You saw it. You knew it was incorrect. You don’t get to just walk on by and ignore it.” The soldier (from another platoon) went back and corrected the problem.

Do What’s Right Because It’s Right

Smith gathered our platoon to give us a lesson because we had all seen what had happened. He told us that if any of us ignores a standard and leaves a problem for someone else to correct, we’d be letting the army down, letting each other down, and letting ourselves down.

Smith told the platoon “If you see something that is screwed up and you don’t do anything about it, you are just as screwed up. It is your duty to make things right.”

The Point Was Clear

How the problem occurred or who caused it didn’t matter. Our job was to maintain the standards of the army. No excuses. No exceptions. Ignoring even the most insignificant problem is to declare the standard doesn’t exist, which brings the legitimacy of all other standards into question. The effectiveness of the organization then begins to erode.

It’s About Trust and Respect

It isn’t until we can trust that the standards are legitimate, respected, and maintained that we can begin to work as a cohesive unit. When we see people consistently doing the right things when a problem or crisis doesn’t exist, we trust the right things will be done when a problem arises.

What Do You Demonstrate and What Do You Tolerate?

We’re all leaders when it comes to maintaining standards, regardless of titles or positions. A leader is someone who influences the work of others. Each of us does this by setting the example by not ignoring problems or bad practices. Whether it’s picking up a piece of trash that was left behind or calling out improper behavior, step up and speak up. The organization will be better off for it.

 


  1. Srinivasan Raghavan

    January 25, 2020 - 12:02 am
    Reply

    I agree , Standards are for maintaining and not for ignoring. It should be rigorously followed irrespective any level in the Organization. The cohesive approach is essential to build a team and a team leader.
    Nice article

  2. Steve Turnipseed

    February 12, 2020 - 8:14 am
    Reply

    Excellent story; thanks for sharing. This line has a deep and very important meaning, “Ignoring even the most insignificant problem is to declare the standard doesn’t exist, which brings the legitimacy of all other standards into question.”

  3. MARK ARNOLD

    February 25, 2021 - 11:16 pm
    Reply

    This was my Drill Sergeant as well in March of 1991… this story is 1000% accurate… this man was possessed and did not care for me… I was 26 years old college dropout with 2 kids and a wife… I didn’t care much for the yelling and him… but I needed to feed my family… he talked with me about why I was there.. I explained my reasoning and that I would do whatever was necessary… we came to an understanding… I was successful because he took time to figure me out…!

Have something to say?

Leave your comment and let's talk!

Start your Lean & Six Sigma training today.