Grace Hopper On Leadership

"If everyone is thinking alike, then no one is thinking." General George S. Patton

To many people in the computer industry, Grace Hopper is the "mother" of programming. In an area that was dominated by men, she stands out as a pioneer. When she worked on the Mark I computer during World War II, computers were a series of delicate electro-mechanical switches. Hopper records that one day the computer wouldn't work. After a painstaking search of the equipment, a moth was found in one of the switches. The moth was removed and taped in the day's journal, where Hopper noted that she had "debugged" the computer. Hopper played a major role in developing programming languages for computers. She remained in the Navy until retirement as a rear admiral in 1986.

In a CBS interview, Hopper related her thoughts on leadership. "Somewhere along the line we lost our leadership. Quality of leadership is a two-way street. It is loyalty up and loyalty down. Respect your superior; keep him informed what you're up to, and take care of your crew. When the going gets rough, you cannot manage a man into battle, you must lead him. You manage things, you lead people." Then she revealed a secret, "(Leaders) when in doubt, don't ask, just do; many times it is easier to apologize than to get permission. The big rewards go to the people who take the big risks. A ship in port is safe, but that's not what a ship is built for."

CONSIDER THIS: Do you believe in something enough to be a leader? Will you take the risk involved? Are you prepared to take the responsibility for failure or the glory for success?