Leaders Find A Way

This is the unit patch for the 143rd Sustainment Command. The multi-directional arrows stand for "By Land, Air, Sea, or Rail." This is my unit patch from my days in the U.S. Army Reserve. Looking back at this patch now, and in consideration of the 24 years worth of life experiences since then, I look at this patch now and see "Find A Way."

We live in a world that seems to increasingly promote a "give up" way of thinking when things get tough. Another popular mindset is the victim-hood thinking of "why me?". Struggle does not play favorites and hard times do not discriminate between "good people" and "bad people". Some will look on others going through a struggle with pity and say "why does stuff like that happen to good people?". The redemptive power is found when we are struggling, in how we choose to respond. Do we become proud or humble? Do we become masters of disguise (to mask the hurt) or become vulnerable? Do we push the struggle away to avoid feeling the pain or do we choose to lean into the opportunity to grow and strengthen ourselves? Do we push others away, or call out for help. The fact is this, the only way to reach the other side of the struggle, is to work through the process.

When it gets too hard, the valley can seem endless, but our walk can become stronger. It is when we struggle, that our faith is tried and our resolve is measured. It is when we can only see darkness, that our vision is tested. It is in times such as these, that we must call on the aid of others. It is in times such as these, that we must remember that WE can do what I alone cannot. It is in times such as these, that we must continue to strive towards the goal. The work and the process will never end. We will never arrive or finish the process this side of heaven.

Finding a way demands preparedness. Surround yourself with people that share and are bought in to the vision. Continually pursue a worthy goal that also challenges your team. Provide opportunity for the team to stretch and grow.

Recruit character and emotional intelligence.

Interview to reveal struggle and resolve.

Serve others and show heart through caring and follow through.

Establish and cultivate a culture of mutual trust and respect.

I believe that if we can create these kind of teams and cultures, we will always have the ability to find a way, even when it seems there is not one.

Chris Thorpe