Cedar Posts on Chief Monroe's Retirement

At lot of insight can be gained by how a man interacts with those he leads, the best leaders lead by example.

 

My grandfather was being shown around a new plant he was hired to run, when he asked about the older man pushing a broom. The young manager who was trying to impress his new boss explained "That's just Ben, he's nobody."

 

But my grandfather had noticed that Ben was pushing that broom with a glove on his left hand, but his right hand glove was tucked into his pocket.

 

My grandfather interrupted the young manager, walked over to the man, introduced himself and shook the laborer's hand. 

 

It was pretty clear to my grandfather that Ben just wanted to shake the new boss man's hand and he wanted to be ready if he came by. 

 

Truth is, Ben had worked at the plant for years and knew everything about the plant. Six months later he would save the jobs of nearly 500 of men by knowing how to bypass a broken standpipe valve during a fire that had started in a supply room. 

 

70 years later Rodney Monroe during his first few weeks on the job, walked past a CMPD sergeant. 

 

On the sleeve of the sergeant's deep blue uniform, seven service bars. Each representing five years of service on the streets of Charlotte, 35 years in total. The new chief glanced at the sergeant’s service stripes, the silver bar with his name and 1972 stamped on it and kept on walking. Not even bothering to saying hello.

 

Not surprisingly the first principle they teach at the United States Marine Corps Officer School is "lead by example".

 

The only time I’ve ever seen Chief Monroe lead by example was at the buffet line. I’m pretty sure the Marine Corps would frown on that, since I’ve never seen a Marine Officer eat before his men did. Four star general or otherwise.

 

Let's hope Chief Monroe enjoys his retirement.