Defending Your Actions
Like many of us, I’ve been watching the press coverage of the Senate confirmation hearings for Sonia Sotomayor. Regardless of your opinions about her qualifications or suitability to serve on the Supreme Court, it’s a historic moment in our nation’s history. Pretty exciting stuff!
What strikes me as I’m watching this coverage, though, is the level of detail in the Senate’s questioning about Sotomayor’s life. I’m not saying it’s wrong…it’s just fascinating. Every single thing she has done for the past 35+ years is now open to public scrutiny. Everything she’s ever said, every word she’s ever written, and every decision she’s ever made.
I wonder how many of us would be open and able to defend every action we’ve taken in our professional lives. Think about it.
Could you explain every letter/email/tweet/blog post you’ve written?
Can you defend every conversation you’ve had? Or conversation you chose not to have?
Would you be willing to share your logic for every decision you’ve ever made – right or wrong?
I’m guessing most of us will never be placed in this situation. But it might be an appropriate way to live our lives. If we had to justify our actions to the entire world…would we still say it, write it, or do it?
And, if we aren’t willing to defend our actions in a public forum, should we expect that from others? This draws some strong parallels to the concept of transparency and its importance to good leadership.
If you were placed before a panel of your employees, would they question your decisions? More importantly, could you defend them?
Just something to think about…
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