On Leadership "On Leadership” is a new feature column where our Rotary Wing Flag Officers are able to submit articles on leadership topics of their choosing. RDML Alvin “Bull” Holsey proposed the idea and provided the lead article on “Mentoring - What Matters Most?” in the Fall 2019 Issue. The batting line up is as follow: VADM Richard Snyder (Winter 2020), RADM Daniel Fillion (Spring 2020), RDML John Gumbleton (Summer 2020), and RADM Jeff Hughes (Fall 2020) so stay tuned and enjoy.
The Bacon & Eggs of Leadership The Difference between Being Committed Not Just Involved!! By RADM D.H. “Dano” Fillion, USN
S
o there I was in my summer whites at the front door of a beautiful house on a golf course in Fernandina Beach, FL. The home belonged to Captain Everett P. Pope, USMC, who completed a very successful career in finance following military service during World War II. Two days before, I spoke with Captain Pope’s wife about a leadership speaking opportunity for her husband. I explained to Mrs. Pope that the squadron to which I was assigned had one hellava Skipper who was conducting a Leadership Day for professional development and we were requesting the honor of hosting Captain and Mrs. Pope. I explained that the entire command would be assembled at an off base theater and would be humbled if Captain Pope, a Medal of Honor recipient, shared his personal leadership philosophy that led him to great success in both combat and finance. Mrs. Pope listened politely, thanked me for calling and let me know in no uncertain terms that her husband received phone calls like mine all the time and very rarely responded positively to them. I thanked her for her time and our call ended. Now, two days later, undeterred by my previous phone call with Mrs. Pope, I was on her front door step. I rang the doorbell, checked my gig line and waited. A few seconds passed before the door opened and I was met by a lovely white haired lady with an electric smile. I introduced myself and reminded Mrs. Pope of our phone call two days prior. She stopped smiling, looked at me curiously and in a declarative manner stated: “You are the Navy guy who called. You are in your summer whites and you just showed up at my house
Rotor Review #148 Spring '20
uninvited.” Oh boy, I thought, this is not going to end well. She smiled and calmly said, “My husband will gladly talk to you.” I was relieved and had the privilege of coordinating Captain Pope’s presentation to our command which was scheduled to occur the following week. During his presentation, Captain Pope recounted the events that led him to winning the Medal of Honor as if they happened yesterday. He was extremely humble when describing how he led his platoon up a steep coral hill on Peleliu Island in the face of heavy machine gun, mortar, and sniper fire to beat back or destroy the enemy, resorting to handto-hand combat as ammunition supply dwindled, and to protect units below from heavy Japanese attack at the cost of all but eight of his riflemen. In only a few short weeks following his heroic actions, Captain Pope was on a Landing Craft Utility (LCU) enroute to another Pacific island with a new group of MARINES. Toward the end of Captain Pope’s presentation, my Skipper asked a question I will never forget. He asked, “Captain Pope, nobody on that LCU knew what to expect, but they knew you had been through an extremely challenging situation just a few weeks prior. What did you say to your new MARINES as the LCU was heading to the beach landing to give them confidence that no matter what they would win?” The theater was quiet with anticipation and Captain Pope, who was in his seventies at the time, stepped away from the podium, snapped to attention with such force that all assembled heard his heels hit, and belted so all could hear: “FOLLOW ME!!!” Leaders do not have to say a lot to be effective. Often, it is simply how little leaders say, and how they say it, that 12
Captain Everett Pope, USMC
inspires followers to achieve greatness. Captain Pope is a prime example of how character, confidence, and integrity came together in one simple statement – “Follow Me” – to inspire his men who were facing formidable odds. Captain Pope was Committed Not Just Involved! If I was talking to each of you in person about Leadership, I would give you an excellent book titled, Lincoln on Leadership, to convey some realistic leadership principles that you may already have in your leadership kit bag. I use this book to underscore my belief that leaders are not simply born – leadership takes effort. While most of us may have some innate leadership ability, becoming an effective leader takes hard work just like everything else in your personal and professional life. Every day is an opportunity to recognize something you could or should have done better as a leader. If you find yourself at a loss of finding things you could have done better, look again, that is what leaders do. Leaders work on leadership every day! Consider
