'Enough' is just not "Good Enough"

My second blog post as the Pilot International Leadership Coordinator was about Integrity.  Integrity was then followed by Character.  There are so many important qualities of a Leader but I believe you are not a Leader if you do not have Character and Integrity.  I have also written and spoke of not accepting ‘status quo.’  ‘Not accepting mediocrity’.  A true Remarkable Leader knows the difference between ‘good enough’ and the ‘right thing to do.’  I read the Sandusky Grand Jury Presentment in full.  I cried.  I was sick in my stomach.  I did not get much sleep last night.  This morning I debated over the idea of posting about this matter; however, Joe Paterno’s action in 2002 is a great example of what a leader should not do.  To me, he is a Leader of Penn State.  He preached on Integrity.  Millions loved him.  In 2002 he came to a crossroads in his career and he chose to comprise his Integrity. 

Joe Paterno’s supporters argue that he did the right thing by reporting the matter up the ladder of college officials; personally I think that matter is ridiculous.  I am no Penn State fan; but I know there is no one up the ladder higher than Joe Paterno. 

He claims he has done enough.  Do you think Victim 2 in the Sandusky Grand Jury Presentment agrees he did enough?  How about the Grad Student who was the witness, who is now a coach; was it enough that he reported to Joe Paterno?  Some say yes.  I say no.  A Remarkable Leader, would have taken charge of the situation, called the police, made sure that boy was ok and would have done more.  A Remarkable Leader’s Integrity and Character would not be satisfied with passing the buck. 

State Attorney General Linda Kelly said Monday that Paterno met his legal obligations by reporting the incident to Curley and Schultz. But what about his moral obligation?

"This is not a case about football," Pennsylvania state police commissioner Frank Noonan said Monday afternoon. "It is not a case about universities. It is a case about children, who have had their innocence stolen from them in a culture that did nothing to stop it or prevent it from happening to others."

Noonan is right.

As a Leader, you can risk your own success or your own fortune, but you cannot risk your Integrity, it takes Character to keep your Integrity.  Every path leads to a crossroads of character or compromise. 

In the past I have joked about Joe Paterno.  It was a football rivalry action.  I had always respected the fact he has won more college football games than any other coach, in fact, he just celebrated his 409^th win.  It is sad he decided meeting his legal obligation was good enough.