I think that I have read your piece carefully, my concern about your position is that in some jobs, law enforcement being a prime example, the subordinate must have the wisdom to recognize when "pushing back" is appropriate.
Law enforcement is at least a quasi military organization for a reason. Sometimes immediate unquestioned response to an order is essential to success of the mission and may mean the difference in survival for the participants.
There may be an appropriate time for discussion an debate after the situation is resolved or the mission is accomplished but absent an illegal order, subordinate personnel in a tactical engagement must obey the orders of their leaders.
It would be nice if promotions were based on competence, but that's another subject for another time.
Bob
Bob,
You got all of that correct. There is a distinct difference between dissenting opinion and insubordination.
SVS
Strangely enough (and my mother would never believe it), I've learned to pick my battles.
I still "push back," because I think I understand that difference between the two concepts that you are constrasting here - I understand my place in the organization and I also understand that a lawful order is a lawful order, regardless of whether or not I agree. I am not a good example for MY staff if I am blatantly insubordinate.
However, I'm also not a good example for MY staff if I don't "push back" when "pushed." And I think that's the difference that you are pointing out here: some people will use authority JUST to use authority, and in any situation where that is the case (authority for the sake of authority and nothing more), it constitutes an abuse of power and a level of hypocrisy that can't be ignored without a "push back."
That's my take on it, anyway. Of course, I'm not only the most decorated officer in my Department, I'm also the most disciplined. Though there are rewards for being the one who "pushes back," the costs are the impetus for the way I pick my battles nowadays. But my clients and my staff are worth my BEST efforts, adn those efforts include exposing fraudulent and uninformed leadership and "pushing back" when necessary and appropriate - and in the most professional manner possible.
Ignore these comments if I missed the point entirely.
Commenting by HaloScan
