John Paul Jones on Leadership and Adversity

...he should be quick and unfailing to distinguish error from malice, thoughtlessness from incompetency, and well meant shortcomings from heedless or stupid blunder. -John Paul Jones

One of the first things I had to memorize as a Plebe (freshman) at the Naval Academy was "Qualifications of a Naval Officer" , a collection of quotes from John Paul Jones, father of the US Navy. I was recently asked how I handled adversity, specifically, how did I react when somebody did something either unexpected or upsetting, in either a personal or professional setting.

While I highly recommend you read the full link (it's only three paragraphs), this section came to mind as a great example of how we can all focus on not letting other's actions upset us. Whether intentional or not, Jones' quote brings to mind stoic philosophy, focusing inward and understanding that while we cannot control others, we can control how we react to outside events.

A good leader remains mindful that their intentions don't matter if they aren't aligned with how they are perceived by others. Similarly, if you can take a step back and ask yourself Why somebody did or said something, that insight can be invaluable. Pausing before you respond or react can be the difference between finding a mutually beneficial outcome and damaging or even destroying a personal or professional relationship.

This is especially valuable during these trying times. By itself, the economic conditions and global uncertainty we are facing would be a tremendous challenge. But as we add new ways of working and communicating and adjust to working from home, the potential for misinterpreting the actions of others, or having our intentions misunderstood, is greater than ever. Hold others accountable for their actions and statements, but be sure to take a moment to reflect before you commit to a course of action.