Striving towards Excellence

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Retired General Norman Schwarzkopf who was the commander for the US forces during Gulf war of 91 died last week of December. 

Last summer I got a chance to read his Autobiography: "It doesn't take a hero".  The title comes from a quote the general gave in an interview where he mentioned "It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle". This shows how he came from a dysfunctional family all the way to being a 4 star general. This is a fascinating story, a real inspiration, it shows what one man can achieve through clear thinking, positive attitude, boundless enthusiasm, and a love for country and humanity.

What did I learn from him?

The following are his thought processes on different aspects of leadership.

• Character

Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy.

• Leadership

Do what is right, now what you think the high headquarters wants or what you think will make you look good.

• Courage

True courage is being afraid, and going ahead and doing your job anyhow, that's what courage is.

• Success

Success is sweet, but the secret is sweat.

• Action

The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is actually doing it.