Some people run and some people stay!

I am repeating a dialogue from ‘Scent of a Woman’. Lt. Col. Frank Slide (Al Pacino) is presenting the case of his friend, Charlie, a kid whom the Lt. Colonel hires for some work. However, throughout the movie, the kid surprises the Lt. Col. with some true leadership behaviors like courage and integrity. 

This is an Oscar-winning role for Al Pacino (please watch the movie if you haven’t), where he is a retired, handicap (blind as a result of his last mission) Lieutenant Colonel from the Army. Charlie is hired to baby-sit him by his family, wherein he gets to spend some time with him and really gets to know him personally. 

At one stage, Charlie is stuck in a debacle! He might need to give up his friends (for an embarrassing incident with the Principal) to save his spot at his school. If he loses his spot, he is potentially killing his future. 

However, Charlie, who is filled with the right leadership values, is unwilling to rat on his friends, even though his friends don’t mind doing the same to him and even though this is going to cost him being expelled from his school. 

This motivates the Lt. Col. to walk into this situation where Charlie’s future is being decided. Please listen to his dialogue: ’Now, I have come to the crossroads in my life. I always knew what the right path was. Without exception, I knew. But I never took it. You know why? It was too damn hard. Now here's Charlie. He's come to the crossroads. He has chosen a path. It's the right path. It's a path made of principle that leads to character. Let him continue his journey! Don't destroy him for it!’

We all have come to crossroads in our own lives. Sometimes, the right path is just too damn hard. It needs efforts and it might even need sacrifice. Just think of how many times we have the courage to follow it!

When the crap hits the fan, some people run and some people stay. Who are we? What do we do in those situations?

Please remember, crossroads are inevitable. We will never be able to avoid those moments. It is our actions in these situations that we can control. Do we run away towards something more in our comfort zone, or do we stay and face the challenge with courage. Even though there is a risk of getting hurt in the bargain. 

When we, at ALLAVANCE, consistently conduct a BEI on a potential recruits (behavioral event interview: The interviewer's job is to elicit complete stories that describe the interviewee's past behaviors, thoughts, and actions in actual situations, with the expectations that these will be repeated in the future), all we are trying to judge is past behaviors that support the expectations of the job. 

Every once a while, we will find someone who sincerely chooses to follow some deep-rooted leadership values. They might give you an impression of past failure. This might not end up being the most impressive interview. However, do remember, they might be the pearls you were looking for. 

And as Al Pacino says ‘Don't destroy them. Protect them. Embrace them. They're gonna make you proud one day, I promise you.’

If you want to have a great start to the day, please watch this clip. (please beware of the inappropriate language, sorry for that) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPSzV4IbwSg