I read what people comment. I read the comments on my interviews and tweets. It’s a dumb thing to do. These comments don’t matter. What matters is whether or not my communication contributed to the success of the mission.
After reading these comments, I think twice before my next communication. I think about what the naysayers will say, how the “experts” will over analyze my dispatch. I think about how all of these trolls will claim to know better and have deeper insight. I hesitate. With all the comments in mind, even knowing that I am meeting the commander’s intent and reaching the right audiences, I still hesitate. I sometimes decide not to communicate. This is also dumb.
You want your team to take risk. You want your team to compete and potentially win. If you don’t compete, you will lose. You have to take risk to develop, to innovate and to excel.
Fuck the trolls. It’s 2019. Take risk and don’t regret. We are the people in the arena. Encourage your people to take well considered risk.
How about the kid who tweeted from Stratcom? Remember, the unfortunate tweet about dropping nukes on New Years. How many trolls took the time to comment? How many jokes at that kid’s expense? I’d give him a coin. He could’ve not tweeted at all. He could have not given a shit. Unfortunately, next time, he’ll probably choose to do nothing, to avoid risk.
Let’s remember, no one died as a result of his tweet. I’m quite sure Stratcom still has the resources, authority and operational support they need to protect America. Nothing changed so give the kid a break.
I am the kid from Stratcom. We all are.
Take risk.
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Paul Villanueva II
