Right Person for the Right Time

“The sea does not like to be restrained” - Rick Riordan

I recall the story of PT109 and John F Kennedy being the “right person for the right time.” World War II casualty of the war the PT boat was struck by another vessel and sank in to the Pacific Ocean. The crew was left in the water…some helpless and some distraught by the events. Kennedy stepped into his leadership role and began to focus those that could swim to gather them together and account for all the crew. Then he focused the crew to swim towards an island that they hoped to be uninhabited by the enemy. Kennedy even towed a crew member with his teeth as the crew began swimming towards the island almost 2 miles away. There is more to this story, but there are points that come to light of Kennedy being the “right person for the right time.”

• He was a competitive swimmer at Harvard. Water survival odds…he was the best of the crew.

• He was the officer in charge and didn’t for sake his duty.

• He didn’t panic or make rash decisions. He never got ahead of the situation.

• He didn’t try to save just himself. He was the steward of all the lives of the crew of PT109 and acted accordingly.

• He kept on trying to lead his crew to be rescued…single focus

• Whatever little action to realize rescue, JFK did.

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As we enter seasons of uncertainty and drastic organizational actions of layoffs and budget cuts, the people need a person like John F. Kennedy to be a leader and a steward of those that are in the waters…either floating or near drowning. Do you have what it takes to be like JFK for the many…a living example of true leadership?

#PT109, #johnfkennedy, #steward, #rightperson, #leadership, #rescue