I read this article about the USS Fitzgerald’s plight after it crashed into a shipping vessel near Japan. Many of the leaders lost mental and/or physical control of themselves. Some succumbed to their injuries and some to the terrible situation.
I’m not judging the leaders. I wasn’t there. I only read the one article linked above. I’ve experienced dire and fatal situations in my own time as an infantry officer.
Each week members of my organization voluntarily assemble to do a difficult fitness session. It usually includes burpees, some climbing action, exhausting aerobic challenge and unusual movements. It’s difficult but do-able. It’s at-your-own-pace and there is no embarrassment in falling short.
The event is as tough as you make it and most participants make it tough. Several times throughout the session your body may want to quit but your mind doesn’t allow. Like any good high intensity workout, it’s both physically and mentally challenging.
At the end, our leadership talks about the event and our organization’s culture.
It’s important for me, as a communicator. I coach my commander to emphasize certain points needed for our internal communication goals. Sometimes I invite media to participate.
As a communicator, you might encourage your boss to do something like this. If she’s not interested, you can surely do it on your own with your team. Remember this post? Although it’s just a fitness event, the communication aspects are endless.
One week the Fitzgerald article was fresh in my mind. As I suffered through some of the events where I was weakest, I thought of the leaders on the Fitzgerald. I wonder. If their organization had a weekly fitness challenge would the leaders of that ship so quickly become unable to command?
Fitzgerald aside. Challenge your team. Be an example. You can start now.
Photo by Lance Cpl. Haley Gawronski
