A Swift Kick In The Pants

July 3, 2014

in Leadership

Both of my grandfathers served in WWII. My mom’s dad used to tell a story of training a newly enlisted serviceman to throw a grenade.

The new guy had pulled the pin and had frozen with fear. My grandfather not having time to do anything else said all he could do was give the guy a swift kick in the pants and dive behind a pile of sand bags. Luckily the swift kick in the pants was enough to shock the man out of his frozen state, and he lobbed the grenade over the barrier just in time to avoid disaster.

On Independence Day, I think of him and those who serve and have served our country.

Oftentimes there are people around us that need a swift kick in the pants. They need someone to call it as it is. Not pretentiously. Not selfishly. Just as a friend and as a statement of truth. Best if made out of love and true concern for the individual.

Leaders need the gall to provide a swift kick in the pants when warranted. They need to know how to do it in a way that results in forward momentum and not in a downward spiral of despair and oppression.

What are your thoughts on providing a swift kick in the pants to your team members?

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