We Win Some, We Lose Some

Episode 6:  Yankee Doodle Doctor

Hawkeye:   Three hours ago this man was in a battle.  Two hours ago we operated on him.  He’s got a 50-50 chance.  We win some, we lose some.  That’s what it’s all about.  No promises.  No guaranteed survival.  No saints in surgical garb.  Our willingness, our experience, our technique are not enough.  Guns and bombs and anti-personnel mines have more power to take life than we have to preserve it.  Not a very happy ending for a movie.  But then no war is a movie.

The 4077 is chosen for the filming of a documentary focusing on the surgical skills of the doctors in the war effort.  Outraged by the propaganda, Hawkeye and Trapper create their own version of the film revealing the truth about the war.

Leadership on the front lines of life recognises that no matter how hard you try or how experienced you might be, people don’t always follow your lead.  This has been a hard reality for me to face when I’ve invested enormous time, energy and resources into developing leaders to have some make unwise choices that damages the relationship or derails them from their position.  I have come to realise that my “willingness, experience and technique” is sometimes not enough.  While I can’t control other people’s choices, I can choose not to allow their decision not to follow discourage me from my responsibility to lead. Leaders are responsible to faithfully “lead with all diligence” (Romans 12:8), despite the outcomes we cannot control.

Righteous Anger

Episode 5:  The Moose

Colonel Blake: Of course it’s illegal and immoral.  I mean, I 

can order Baker to release her and he can pick her up again five 

minutes after he leaves.

Hawkeye:       I never thought you’d chicken out like this Henry.

Colonel Blake: Oh come on!

Hawkeye:       If you haven’t got any more guts than that, I’m 

not going to work here. I’ll quit this outfit. I’ll quit the war.

Colonel Blake: Really?  Well, who’s gonna break the news to Truman and MacArthur.

Hawkeye and Trapper become outraged when a visiting G.I. arrives at camp with a Korean girl as a servant, a “Moose”.  Unsatisfied that Colonel Blake was unable to do anything about it Hawkeye takes matters into his own hands to correct this injustice.

It was once said, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”  Leaders are often confronted by evil and injustice in their circles of influence.  I recall in previous employment being enraged by an unjust situation that evoked little concern or reaction by the management.  Unable to ignore the injustice I instinctively went to the aid of the person concerned, despite the indifference of those around me. There comes a point for every leader when you can no longer ignore the brokenness of this world and a decision must be made whether you are going to be a part of the solution or the problem.  Righteous anger is the fuel that ignites a passion within us to stand up and make a difference!

Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word

Episode 4:  Chief Surgeon Who?

Colonel Blake: Well sir, what do you think of my Chief Surgeon now?

General Barker: You know I’m not very good at apologies Pierce, 

but forgive a rusty old doctor will you.

Hawkeye: I think you’re very good at apologies General.

Hawkeye is promoted to Chief Surgeon, evoking a jealous reaction by Frank Burns, as he is the senior officer.  Frank and Margaret complain to the General and set-up Hawkeye to prove to the General that he is unfit for the role.  When the General observes Hawkeye in action he is vindicated and receives a humble apology from the General.

During high school I was given a lesson in giving a public apology to my teacher when I was out of line that has stayed with me ever since.  I have learned to be quick to acknowledge my mistakes and apologise when I mess up.  As a leader, this has been an attribute that has served me well, which I credit to good role models and the Holy Spirit who prompts my conscience. Leaders need to be cautious not become so arrogant that they cannot admit their mistakes.  A moment of humility will build a lifetime of credibility when a leader is self-aware and vulnerable enough to say “I’m sorry.”  Far from being a sign of weakness, the willingness to apologise is seen as a sign of strength of character by those we lead.

The Battle is Not Mine

Episode 3:  Requiem for a Lightweight

Hawkeye:   What does mean mean, mean means nothing. It’s skill that counts. Big and mean has nothing to do with fighting ability.

Trapper gets conned into competing in an inter-camp boxing match as a favour to Henry Blake, to win back a nurse who is being transferred out. When the boxer from the opposing camp arrives the 4077 doctors are intimidated by his size and reputation.

As leaders we are often confronted by various forms of opposition that can seem overwhelming and intimidating at first appearances.  One doesn’t have to stand in a boxing ring to feel like you are going a couple of rounds with a sparring partner.  The kinds of fights confronting leaders are usually in the form of criticism, conflicting agendas, personality clashes, or unrealistic expectations.  These battles that seem so overwhelming at first can be right sized when given a bit of perspective:  “The battle is the Lord’s” (1 Sam 17:47), “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” (Zech 4:6), “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Eph 6:12).  As a Christian leader I have the knowledge that the battle is not mine and that God’s wisdom and strength empowers me to overcome!

Dealing With Crisis

Episode 2:  To Market, To Market

Hawkeye: Don’t confuse me I can only handle one catastrophe at a time

Trying to meet a deadline for secretly delivering Colonel Blake’s antique desk to the black market, in exchange for essential medicine, Hawkeye and Trapper become locked in the Colonel’s office.  Hawkeye is faced with multiple crisis of getting out of the office, delaying the chopper and the risk of getting caught!

Crisis has the ability to bring out the best and worst in leaders.   It is relatively easy to lead in the calm when everything makes sense, but in the midst of a crisis when confusion reigns, that is when the true value of leadership is revealed.  A leader needs to be able to maintain clarity of thought to effectively navigate an individual or organization through crisis.  To have clarity of thought during crisis depends upon having a clear understanding of your vision and values before the crisis occurs. Vision and values provide the foundation upon which a leader can confidently make the right decisions and give appropriate direction, especially when faced with opposition.  Having a clear reference point during periods of crisis in my ministry has empowered me to stay the course and not allow conflicting agendas derail the mission of the church I am leading.

Protocol or Purpose

Episode 1:  The Pilot

General Hammond:    You and Pierce are both under arrest

Hawkeye:            What’s the charge General?

General Hammond:    Breaking orders by having this party

Colonel Blake:      And handing out unauthorised passes

Hawkeye and Trapper disobey orders by having a party in Colonel Blake’s absence to raise money for the education of a local Korean boy.  When they are reported to the General, they manage to avoid being court-martialed by impressing the General with their surgical skills.

In leadership there is a fine line between doing what is required and what is right.  Sometimes the boundaries get blurry when protocol gets in the way of purpose.  While I am not advocating for a disregard of authority, there have been times in my leadership where I have made a conscious choice to bypass protocol in the interest of getting the job done.  Similarly, there have been other occasions where an unintentional breach of protocol evoked more concern than the correctness of the issue at hand.  Right or wrong?  I’ll let you be the judge.  However, whenever protocol or process inhibits an organization from fulfilling its purpose, a decision needs to be made by leaders whether to maintain the status quo or to proactively pursue change.  In making a decision between protocol and purpose, one thing I do know, honesty and humility must lead the way.

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