Importance of Integrity in a Leader

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About this Episode

In this special series released on Wednesdays, we are honored to have Brigadier General Tom Draude. Callsign Sage, Tom commissioned in June 1962 after graduation from the Naval Academy and served in the Marine Corps for 30 1/2 years. He served three combat tours in Vietnam as an infantry officer and was the Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Marine Division during operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  Sage is the recipient of two Silver Stars, the Purple Heart Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Medal with Palm.

Key Points of Discussion

• Importance of Integrity in a Leader
• Difference between morality and Integrity
• Choosing between right and right
• Choosing Mercy over Justice

Key Milestones of this Episode

[00:58] Importance of Integrity in a Leader

[02:40] Difference between morality and integrity

[05:29] Semper Fidelis

[09:26] Tough decision in regards of right VS right

[13:46] Choosing Mercy over Justice

Key Quotes

1. “Some of you, especially those who choose to come in the Marine Corps, may find yourself in a situation where you’re giving orders. That will cause the men that you’re leading to die.”
2. “There should be leaders of morality as well as integrity.”
3. “Morality is a choice between right and wrong, good and bad, kind of easy to distinguish. Sometimes it’s difficult to carry out the end of the right thing, but it said, you know, black and white, find a line between the two.”
4. “We have a kind of a constant ethical dilemma in four different areas and those areas are justice versus mercy, honesty versus loyalty, short-term benefit versus long-term benefit, the good of the individual versus the good of the group.”
5. “The quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth as a gentle rain from Heaven, upon the place beneath.”

Recommended Book

How good people make tough decision

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About Our Guest Tom Draude

Brigadier General Thomas V. Draude is a retired Marine Corps officer. Since retirement, Draude has served with USAA and the Marine Corps University Foundation. He is currently an adjunct faculty member of St. Leo University in Florida, teaching on The Vietnam War, The Middle East and Modern Wars, and The Gulf Wars. He is also an adjunct faculty member at University of South Florida, teaching Why We Fight and How We Fight U.S. Wars.

To hear more about Tom’s journey, download this episode now.

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