So I learned many valuable lessons when I worked at the U.S. Secret Service--I loved it there! But one of the lessons that sticks out it that sometimes you have to take a bullet for the President! This lesson stayed with me and I believe it applies to a lot of other situations in life as well. Sometimes you take one for the - Team - Cause - Relationship It's easy to say you are going to preserve you self by "dodging a bullet," but often it's really just the opposite that is needed. If you take the bullet, you are putting yourself subordinate to a larger cause and what is really important. Taking one to safeguard the President of the United States is definitely a larger cause. But also your team, the success of an important cause or project, precious relationships that have been built over time--these can all mean more than taking even a significant hit. This doesn't mean to be stupid, become anyone's punching bag or just take people's sh*t for nothing. Rather what it does mean is that you can suck it up sometimes--when the ends justify the means--and jump in front of that bullet to preserve something bigger and more important than just yourself. (Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Andy Blumenthal is Deputy Program Director at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Blumenthal is a dynamic, award-winning leader with over 35 years of experience delivering results across the public and private sectors. All opinions are his own.