Kenny Newsom

Today’s Imagination Hat is actually hats off to US Veterans. What can we learn from Veterans about business and the business of life? Only the most important things.

I recently had the honor of attending a funeral for my brother-in-law’s Father, who was 91. Sure, funerals of 91-year-old guys are not uncommon. But smiles and laughter, even through tears, abounded. Kenny Newsom, a bonafide member of the Greatest Generation, would have been glad for this response at a funeral. But what Kenny’s life can teach us is about business and the business of life is far from common.

Classic black and white photos, many of which could have found a place in Life Magazine, covered the walls. Kenny was a handsome young man in military uniform. But no one would guess the depth of his courage from his infectious smile. He flew 29 missions, 15 as a tail gunner in an aircraft named “Little Butch Rodney Rocks” (shown above), and another 14 missions in a B24 plane of the same name. One particular image caught my eye. There he was, inside the machine gun turret, looking like a man crammed into a tiny tin can, where he would sit and await the enemy. Or worse. The B-24 was notorious among American aircrews for its tendency to catch fire. It was dangerous to ditch or belly land, since the fuselage tended to break apart. And there he was, on the bottom of the plane. It struck sheer terror in me just looking at it. Just how could you stop shaking long enough to take aim? Knowing you were the certain first target, or the first to die? What exactly is it that possesses a young man to do this? And what would cause thousands of others, from a various backgrounds, political persuasions, and religious affiliations to all work together, even at the risk of their own lives? Words are not just words. They mean something. There are certain words like Freedom, that are worth dying for. Veterans teach us that there is nothing like the power of Big Ideas. Thank God, the great majority of business owners reading this post are not working on life and death issues. Nevertheless, a big vision requires great courage. It is certain that without a clear bugle call, you will have trouble rallying any troops to your cause.

The next thing veterans can teach us is the real meaning of leadership. Kenny’s crew was always the lead aircraft in the squadron. Real leaders do not tell others to do the difficult thing. They model it. The Greatest Generation did not wait to be told what to do. They did what needed to be done. They did not wait for anyone to tell them to do the right thing, even if the right thing was the most difficult. They just did the right thing. They did not care who got the credit. Going above and beyond the call of duty was normal duty. Veterans know that the real meaning of leadership is being the first to serve. And that means anyone can be a leader- even the lowest ranking member of your organization.

Little Butch Rodney Rocks

The third thing we can learn from Veterans is that a great work requires great patience. The very Big Idea that required this American squadron of B-24 Liberators to fly 29 missions from Sudbury, England was not going to be accomplished in a day. With any Big Idea, you must have daily goals and patience to persevere, despite the set backs, to wait for the goal. Your team players must all buy into the vision, and understand the risks. While Kenny was overseas, he was not the only one shaking. His wife Louise sometimes waited two months for word of his well being.  Any goal worth pursuing will at times be very scary for everyone involved. Patience is the commitment to see through the stress to the end goal.

We are getting dangerously close to the day when the last of this Greatest Generation will have passed from the earth. What then? Will only us weanies remain? They just don’t make guys like Kenny Newsom anymore. We would do well to exercise our courage muscle. One thing is certain. When you are enjoying pursuing your Big Idea, and enjoying the fruits of your labors, remember to thank a Veteran.

If you don’t stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them. Anonymous