Personal Agenda (Fawcett #13) ()
When structures do not work at all
Mid-manager will take the fall;
Left alone to play around
He struts, around parading ground.’Neath him with six hundred troops,
Lighter ones with swords and boots,
Told to sit, give up a chance
To press a route with sword and lance.Then add in a messenger,
Off his nut who’d much prefer
Leadership of light-horse men,
Changed the orders – shell hit then –He was killed – six hundred rode
Up a valley – they’d been told
Orders which in fact were not
What the brass desired at top.Up the valley, driven back,
Twice through gauntlet taking flak
From both sides; “Magnificent –
But not war” one comment went.One-third died; one took the blame,
(Middle manager – the same
Who loved trooping on parade,
At his feet all blame was laid).But all four messed up that charge:
Boss found giving orders hard;
Middleman preferred to play;
Lower man was one that paid.Most of all that hot-head nut
Changed the orders – striving – but
Met quick end right at the first,
Others charged – and took the worst.“Don’t anoint to leadership
Hot-head newbies lest they hit
On some scheme more bold than wise,
God’s great gift, viewed from their eyes.“Then again don’t strut and stride,
On parade grounds proudly ride”;
Jesus said, “Judge each by fruit
Of their actions, horns they toot.”“Under-shepherds central are
To success for all – by far
More important at the front;
For the men who bear the brunt –Of the battle, just obey
What comes down, the battles sway
By their efforts – much demand
Of the leaders in command.navigation