RIP!!!  The seam in the back of my dress uniform pants completely gave out.  Admittedly, I had packed on some serious pounds.  I had quit smoking and substituted the smokes for anything sweet around. (Okay, that’s just an excuse…I love donuts and had had a continual stream of them going into my mouth.)

That morning was our Winter Uniform Inspection.  As Commanding Officer, I was the inspecting officer of our 300 reserve personnel.  I didn’t know what I was going to do since that was my only pair of inspection pants so I called my brother (who was also in the Navy and lived a couple of miles away) to see if I could borrow his pants.  After listening to his stream of laughter and ribbing, he said, “Chip, I’m not home and, besides, I’m two inches shorter than you and you’d look like a baffoon wearing highwaters!”

On my drive to work I went through the possibilities.  One option was to cancel the inspection.  Another was to give delegate the inspecting officer position to another officer.  Both of those were great at “saving face” but not in keeping with the way I like to lead from the front.

When I got to work, I quickly scurried to my office and sat in my chair.  I had an hour until the inspection and a decision needed to be made.  I needed help.  In desperation, I called my staff into the office.  Being summoned at 0630 was uncommon and I could see their concern as they entered my office.  When they were all present I stood up, turned around, starting laughing and said, “I need some help!”  The entire office erupted in laughter.  After it subsided, it was a mad dash to find me a pair of pants.  The entire team searched every locker in the place and (with 20 minutes left to inspection) they found me a pair.

This “event” was embarrassing but I wouldn’t have been able to do what I needed to do without the help of my team.  If I had held on to my ego and gone with the options of copping out of the inspection, I would have not been fulfilling my obligations as a leader.  Further, I wouldn’t have felt good about myself after.  By letting go of my ego, laughing about the mistake and eliciting help from the team, I was able to fulfill my obligations.

We all have things that happen that we’re embarrassed about.  It’s easy to sit back, fret, and try to save face.  In the end, we’re all human.  Mistakes are part of living.  Why fret!?  Why not laugh it off and reach out for help?  When we, as leaders, can laugh at our own mistakes it gives others permission to do the same and creates an atmosphere where people can take risks without fear of reprise.

I did the inspection and, after, put on a uniform that fit a bit better.  That entire weekend’s duty with my team was light, productive and it all started when we laughed at me showing my ass.

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