Chutzpah

March 18, 2024?

Dear Leaders,?

Humility in the face of greatness can be more difficult than it sounds, as those with talent often know it, and any attempts at modesty can come off as false.? Conversely, being too brash and narcissistic likewise places you in a negative light, as braggadocio in the public eye seldom gains you friends and amplifies any resulting failure.? As we noted in last week’s letter, the spotlight is always on you.? ?????

Josh Rosen was a talented student and athlete in high school and received a scholarship to play quarterback at UCLA, where he gained notice for his talent and determination, albeit without any championships or bowl games.? Leaving after his junior year, he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League in 2018.? Upon being selected as the tenth pick in the first round, he brashly announced how there were nine mistakes ahead of him.? Given that he was not proven beyond raw talent alone, his audacity was a harbinger of what was to come.?

Transitioning between leadership levels is a challenge for anyone, and his first year as a professional quarterback was no exception, as opposing defenses took it upon themselves to give him a dose of humility.? He met with mixed results, for while he showed ability as a starting quarterback, his team was not impressed with their 13 losses in the season, drafted another quarterback the next year, and traded him to Miami.? He again failed to make an impact and was released.? After moving through several other teams with no real playing time, he was out of professional football within five years.??

Like many leaders transitioning from one world to another, I made a misstep or two (or three) along the way.? Moving from a career in the US Army to a US Government civil service position was initially more than a bit of culture shock for me.? I previously worked with civil service employees, but the differences in working for a completely civilian agency took some getting used to.? Having been in positions of authority, I found myself in a specialist position doing intelligence research, and for the first time in 20 years, no supervisory authority.??

In learning the position and how the agency operated, I realized that I could do much more than the basic job description.? Building on the initial success of a colleague who taught me much, I started venturing into more than just reporting and into preventing what was rampant fraud in our immigration benefits system.? As I provided information, people came seeking guidance.? Reverting to my nature and leadership experience, I started telling them what they should do to counteract the fraud and they did it.?

Right idea, wrong application, for in doing so, I ruffled more than a few feathers among complacent managers who were more interested in just getting by with their weekly numbers than the integrity of the process.? Called on the carpet by our director, I was reminded that I was not a supervisor and should not be giving orders.? I sheepishly acknowledged such and returned to my desk, only to realize that I missed the opportunity to explain myself.? In my hubris, I also realized my mistake was in not getting the supervisors on board with what I was trying to do, so I switched tactics and started talking more to them, sounding out who I could work with and who would be an obstacle.??

It didn’t take long to build a following among the lower management, and some mid-level managers also came along.? Working together, we started building a system for combatting and neutralizing fraud by more effective questioning that we sustained with field investigations and reporting.? Denial rates went up and new applications and petitions dropped precipitously.? Along the way, my network expanded to include our field offices, ports of entry, investigators, and embassies in other countries.? ???

All was not all wine and roses, for when filings dropped, so did the revenue that came with them, and that is when our headquarters took notice, wanting to know what we were doing. ?Thinking solely about their missing monies, they tried to walk a fine line between paying lip service to system integrity while encouraging us to not be so strict in our activities.? By now, I had gained stature beyond just our office, and I went in armed with statistics and successful cases, and how the integrity of our legal immigration system overcame any need for revenue based on filings that were clearly fraudulent.? Adding a veiled reference (read:? threat) that public scrutiny of a system that valued revenue over integrity would not play well on the public stage, they were duly cowed, and left the issue alone.?

The difference between chutzpah and self-assurance is reputation based on proven experience rather than potential alone.? Leaders know they must prove themselves not only upon entry into their first position, but in every job thereafter, for your reputation is only as good as your last accomplishments.? Time and again, I had to fight battles with intransigent bureaucrats and obstinate bosses, calling upon an ever-expanding base of knowledge and experience, and backed by a legion of loyal supporters to give strength in numbers.??

Josh Rosen might find success in some other career field, hopefully with a better attitude, for as the spotlight always shines upon you, how you reflect it back is up to you.? Don’t think yourself so high that you just bask in the glow of the spotlight, for you will do better to shine forth in quiet, yet dedicated accomplishment and achievement and let others sing your praises.? ?

Sincerely,

Tim