The Power of Sua Sponte

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

The Power of Sua Sponte

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”

- Theodore Roosevelt

Dear A,

I was recently reading Admiral William McRaven’s book on leadership, The Wisdom of the Bullfrog.  In one chapter, he reflects on the Army Rangers’ motto, Sua Sponte - Latin for “Of Your Own Accord.”  It means doing what needs to be done without waiting for permission.

That idea immediately took me back to a remote CIA base in Iraq where I worked during the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  On the wall of our compound hung a simple sign that read: “If not us, who?”

Over time, you begin to realize that this is the essence of leadership: stepping up when others look away, taking responsibility when it would be easier to say, “That’s not my job.”

Admiral McRaven shares a powerful story that brings this lesson to life.  He recalls being in Hawaii to dedicate a building to a legendary Navy SEAL, Lt. Commander Moki Martin.  Martin had been paralyzed from the chest down after a bicycle accident, and now used a wheelchair.  After McRaven delivered heartfelt opening remarks about his friend, Martin rolled himself to the microphone.  McRaven writes:

As Moki began to talk, it was apparent that the organizers had not positioned the microphone correctly.  Even the front row could not hear Moki's remarks.  I realized that I would have to get up from my chair, cross in front of the other dignitaries, and awkwardly reposition the microphone.  Moki was just beginning to thank people, but if I didn't act soon, the audience would miss his inspirational comments.

Leadership means doing what has to be done... even when no one else wants to do it.

As I started to rise from my chair, a young SEAL dressed in his white uniform broke ranks with the formation and marched past the two hundred attendees, directly up to the microphone. He came to attention, saluted Lieutenant Commander Martin, adjusted the microphone, saluted again, did an about-face, and returned to the formation. Not a single moment of Moki's talk was lost.

After the dedication was over, I approached the young SEAL and thanked him for his prompt action. He responded to me, "Sir, something had to be done and no one else was doing it. So I thought it was up to me." It may have been the best response to real leadership that I ever heard. "No one else was doing it, so it was up to me." It was the essence of Sua Sponte.

Sometimes leadership is doing the right thing when no one else is.

Stay safe and vigilant!

Luke Bencie