My Values - Honor

I served almost 35 years as an officer in the United States Navy, so naturally my personal values are our Navy's values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. This post is about my value of Honor.

Serving with Honor means that you always act with honesty and truthfulness; be dependable; avoid conflicts of interest; maintain the trust and respect of your superiors, peers, and subordinates; and remain dedicated to justice.

David Baucom

Moral Excellence (Part Three)

This is the third and the last of the principles of moral excellence that I carry around on that little plastic card in my wallet.  This principle is about making ethics a part of all decisions and behaviors.  In other words, doing what is honorable.

-Work together with openness, honesty, and transparency.
-Be honest, work hard, protect the company's assets.
-Know the limits of your duties, responsibilities, and discretion.
-Do not use your position for private gain.
-Act impartially; do not give preferential treatment to anyone.
-Avoid conflicts of interest between your position and outside activities and organizations.
-Avoid any actions that create the appearance that you are violating law or ethical standards.

Now, that's an important principle!

David Baucom

Moral Excellence (Part Two)

The second principle listed on that little plastic card I carry in my wallet is about obeying authority.  Its two tenants are: (1) respect and obey the law; and, (2) carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with legislation, regulations, policies, and directives. In other words, doing what is right.

This principle reminds me of the Scout Oath and Scout Law I learned many years ago. It still applies today.

David Baucom

Moral Excellence

I've carried this little plastic card around in my wallet for years.  And, throughout my career in the United States Navy, I have referred to it often and worked hard to achieve its values. The card is entitled: "Principles of Moral Excellence."

The first paragraph is about respecting the dignity of all persons.

-Treat every person with respect.
-Appreciate differing viewpoints and opinions.
-Contribute to a healthy work environment.
-Set the example.

I think the world would be a better place if we all followed these four simple goals.

David Baucom

The Quotable Ronald Reagan

Joseph R. Holmes edited and compiled a favorite book of mine that I've referred to many times throughout the years.  Holmes' "The Quotable Ronald Reagan - The Common Sense and Straight Talk of Former California Governor Ronald Reagan" was published in 1975, but many of these direct quotes compiled from various speeches and interviews still resonate today.

I've listed just a few of my favorite quotes below:

BUREAUCRATS
If a bureaucrat had been writing the 10 Commandments, a simple rock slab would not have been near enough room. Those simple rules would have read: "Thou Shalt Not, unless you feel strongly to the contrary, or for the following stateside exceptions, see paragraphs 1-10 subsection #A."
June 6, 1974

CONSTITUTION
Our constitution is a document that protects the people from government.
Sept 17, 1973

CREDIT
I have a little bronze plaque on my desk and I hope I can live by the inscription it bears - "You can accomplish much if you don't care who gets the credit."
June 28, 1972

ETERNAL LIFE
Too many people, especially in government, feel that the nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program.
May 10, 1972

HABIT
We sure can't be like the fellow's wife who used to cut off both ends of the ham before she cooked it.  When he asked her why she did that, she said because that's the way her mother always did it.

One day, he got the chance to ask his mother-in-law why she cut off both ends of the ham before she cooked it. And she said because that's the way HER mother did it.

Came the holidays and Grandma was visiting and he told her about it and asked if that was true- why did she cut off both ends of the ham before she cooked it? She said, "that's simple. I never had a pan big enough to get the whole ham in it."
May 31, 1974

SCHOOL
Your teachers will hate me for this but my favorite subject in college was football. Today, I am fascinated with history.
March 8, 1973

David Baucom

Lincoln on Leadership

One of my favorite all time reference books is Donald T. Phillips' "Lincoln On Leadership - Executive Strategies For Tough Times." In this book, Phillips explores President Lincoln's management philosophies for students of leadership.  It's a fascinating read. Listed below are a few of my favorite  principles from Phillips that I have tried to embrace:

1. Be the very embodiment of good temper and affability.
2. Remember, everyone likes a compliment.
3. Wage only one war at a time.
4. Showing your compassionate and caring nature will aid you in forging successful relationships.
5. Use force only as a last resort.
6. A good leader avoids issuing orders, preferring to request, imply, or make suggestions.
7. When you make it to the top, turn and reach down for the person behind you.
8. Don't surrender the game leaving any available card unplayed.
9. Remember that compromise does not mean cowardice.
10. Seize the initiative and never relinquish it.

David Baucom

Find Your Park

Since January, my wife and I have celebrated the centennial of our national parks service by volunteering with the Student Conservation Association (The SCA) to pick up trash at three of our national parks in the Washington DC metro area.  We've discovered that this is a terrific, satisfying way to spend a Saturday.

So far, we volunteered at Anacostia, Greenbelt and Fort Dupont parks.  We've met some very interesting people, talked with both high school and college students about their future plans, and helped to clean up our national treasures.

We probably never would have visited these national parks without this opportunity to find them through volunteering. Through corporate contributions, the SCA provides tee shirts, sun glasses, work gloves, tools, breakfast treats including hot coffee as well as a boxed lunch at the end of the event.  Typically, we've returned home by 3:00 pm - enthusiastic that we paid back to our community, discovered someplace new, and met some wonderful, dedicated Americans.  David Baucom