Challenge any U.S. Marine with the mnemonic: JJ DID TIE BUCKLE.
If you do, expect to receive a confident:
Justice, Judgement, Decisiveness, Integrity, Dependability, Tact, Initiative, Endurance, Bearing, Unselfishness, Courage, Knowledge, Loyalty, and Enthusiasm!
These leadership traits are standard-issue; lives are spent in their pursuit. But, for now, focus in on decisiveness.
Decisiveness
Think about the critical importance of this singular trait. While many people struggle with day-to-day decisions, we all know some who are quick to decide.
The ability to evaluate options, determine a way ahead, and be confident in the choice, is impressive. But, recognizing that a decision fell short—like changing the tradition of sailor ratings—and then being decisively flexible enough to make it right? That’s inspiring.
Does the Navy Want To Change 241 Years Of Tradition?
Just more than a year ago, on 29 September 2016, our nation’s sailors lost ratings.[1]
All gone—from aviation boatswain’s mate to yeoman. Navy leaders explained their rationale and offered the way ahead (an alpha-numeric system of navy occupational specialty codes). Sailors, past and present, blasted Navy leaders for breaking with more than two centuries of tradition.
What began on social media transitioned to a White House petition with more than 103,000 signatures. Navy leaders, however, appeared unwavering.
Story after story ran with the narratives ‘change can be hard’ and ‘this is a step in the right direction.’ While Navy leadership insisted that the decision was not made in a vacuum, sailors were not buying what the brass was selling.
Stand By For Questions
No matter what Navy leaders claim, the decision to abolish ratings occurred in a vacuum. Perhaps they assembled a team or committee. Maybe they consulted with those beyond the Navy’s staff in the Pentagon or Navy Personnel Command.
Regardless, the decision came as a surprise to the rank-and-file. Most of the time, sailors offer little more than a rumbling to orders they may not understand. This was not one of those times.
To the average sailor, this was personal. Sailors saw this as a move on their identity—they wanted answers. The Navy may not be a democracy, but any leader knows it’s never easy meeting the mission without buy-in from the team.
Recognize the Smart Leadership Behind Changing Course
By restoring sailors’ ratings, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral John Richardson not only did the right thing—he did the smart thing.
Disregard the decision to remove the ratings. Do not consider the CNO’s thoughts on this subject, or those of of then-Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, or those of former Master Chief Petty Officer Mike Stevens.
Get past the wake sent across the Fleet when supposed progress beat out tradition.
Admiral Richardson recognized the issue and, just as decisive as the choice to drop the ratings, he changed course. On 21 December 2016, the Navy announced the return of sailors’ ratings.[2]
Whether the decision to restore the ratings was Admiral Richardson’s or that of his trusted advisors makes no difference. He demonstrated self-awareness of the fallout and seemingly empathized with those most concerned—our sailors.
Admiral Richardson used this debacle as an opportunity to cite his strategic guidance, the ‘”Design for Maintaining Maritime Superiority (v1.0),” which states “Our most junior teammate may have the best idea; we must be open to capturing that idea.” Admiral Richardson gives credit to the idea of restoring ratings to the sailors—a textbook example of smart leadership.
Be Decisively Flexible
The option to “stick to your guns” is not always smart leadership.
Sure, no one wants to work for the leader who always sits on the fence. But, continuing to take your team on the wrong course is at best, silly, and at worst, dangerous.
When what seemed to be a strong decision turns out to be a mistake, a decisively flexible leader will get it turned around. In the case of our sailors’ ratings, it took two moves to get back to where it began. No matter the moves, the Navy made it right.
This episode in our history does not mean sailors will always get their way. Nor has this set a precedent for dissent against future decisions. Instead, this is a case study in smart leadership, decisive flexibility, and the use of a few good leadership traits we’re all better to know–JJ DID TIE BUCKLE.
Endnotes
1. www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2016/NAV16218.txt
2. www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2016/NAV16283.txt 3 www.navy.mil/cno/docs/cno_stg.pdf
