Thought 30NOV2007

POINTS TO PONDER - [General George S Patton, Jr]
Picking the right leader is the most important task of any commander. I line up the candidates and say, "Men, I want a trench dug behind warehouse ten. Make this trench eight feet long, three feet wide and six inches deep." While the candidates are checking their tools out at the warehouse, I watch them from a distance. They question why I want such a shallow trench. They argue over whether six inches is deep enough for a gun emplacement. Some complain that such a trench should be dug with power equipment. Others gripe that it is too hot or too cold to dig. If the men are above rank of lieutenant, there will be complaints that they should not be doing such lowly labour. Finally, one man will order. "What difference does it make what that old SOB wants to do with this trench! Let's get it dug and get out of here."That man will get the promotion. Pick the man who can get the job done!
Quoted by Porter B Williamson in Gen Patton's Principles for Life and Leadership - Extracted from Reader's Digest, March 1995 - Points to Ponder

The more you sweat in peacetime, the less you bleed during war - Chinese Proverb