RESPONSIBILITY The closer a person standsto the top of the leadership pyramid and the higher he rises above the mass of ordinary people, the more he becomes an active element in the decision making process, the more he will be held accountable for it, and the less does his responsibility become transferable. The higher one stands, the less one can escape into passivity (as merely a recipient of orders). One must become active, not only downwards, but if necessary, upwards as well. One cannot claim the priviliges and honours of the higher rank, without also accepting this increasing non-transferability of responsibility. A (military) leader in a high position, who consoles and defends himself by saying he is not sufficiently aware of the overall situation, and that the supreme commander accepts the full responsibility, is reducing himself to the level of a non-commissioned officer, and revealing that he intends to enjoy the dignity of his rank, without accepting its burden. Helmut Gollwitzer preface to the book: STALINGRAD
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 21:49:01 +0000
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