Over the past 13,000 years the predominant trend in human society has been the replacement of smaller, less complex units by larger, more complex ones.

… part of the reason for states’ triumphs over simpler entities when the two collide is that states usually enjoy an advantage of weaponry and other technology, and a large numerical advantage in population. But there are also two other potential advantages inherent in chiefdoms and states. First, a centralized decision maker has the advantage at concentrating troops and resources. Second, the official religion and patriotic fervor of many states make their troops willing to fight suicidally.

The latter willingness is one so strongly programmed into us citizens of modern states, by our schools and churches and governments, that we forget what a radical break it marks with previous human history. Every state has its slogan urging its citizens to be prepared to di if necessary for the state: Britain’s “For King and Country,” Spain’s “Por Dios y Espana,” and so on. Similar sentiments motivated 16th–century Aztec warriors: “there is nothing like death in war, nothing like the flowery death so precious to Him [the Aztec national God Huitzilopochtli] who gives life: far off I see it, my heart years for it!”

Such sentiments are unthinkable in bands and tribes. In all the accounts that my New Guinea friends have given me of their formal tribal wars, there has been not a hint of tribal patriotism, of a suicidal charge, or of any other military conduct carrying an accepted risk of being killed. Instead, raids are initiated by ambush or by superior force, so as to minimize at all costs the risk that one might die for one’s village. But that attitude severely limits the military options of tribes, compared with state societies.

- Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, pg 281-282

The Marine Corps’ style of warfare requires intelligent leaders with a penchant for boldness and initiative down to the lowest levels. Boldness is an essential moral trait in a leader for it generates combat power beyond the physical means at hand. Initiative, the willingness to act on one’s own judgment, is a prerequisite for boldness. These traits carried to excess can lead to rashness, but we must realize that errors by junior leaders stemming from overboldness are a necessary part of learning. We should deal with such errors leniently; there must be no “zero defects” mentality. Abolishing “zero defects” means that we do not stifle boldness or initiative through the threat of punishment. It does not mean that commanders do not counsel subordinates on mistakes; constructive criticism is an important element in learning. Nor does it give subordinates free license to act stupidly or recklessly.

Not only must we not stifle boldness or initiative, but we must continue to encourage both traits in spite of mistakes. On the other hand, we should deal severely with errors of inaction or timidity. We will not accept lack of orders as justification for inaction; it is each Marine’s duty to take initiative as the situation demands. We must not tolerate the avoidance of responsibility or necessary risk.

…
Relations among all leaders—from corporal to general—should be based on honesty and frankness regardless of disparity between grades. Until a commander has reached and stated a decision, subordinates should consider it their duty to provide honest, professional opinions even though these may be in disagreement with the senior’s opinions. However, once the decision has been reached, juniors then must support it as if it were their own. Seniors must encourage candor among subordinates and must not hide behind their grade insignia. Ready compliance for the purpose of personal advancement—the behavior of “yes-men”—will not be tolerated.

–Warfighting Pages 57-58

I bought the SADAKO book in the museum shop to learn more.  From Wikipedia on Sadako:

On August 3, 1955, Sadako’s best friend Chizuko Hamamoto came to the hospital to visit and cut a golden piece of paper into a square and folded it into a paper crane. At first Sadako didn’t understand why Chizuko was doing this but then Chizuko retold the story about the paper cranes. Inspired by the crane, she started folding them herself, spurred on by the Japanese saying that one who folded 1,000 cranes was granted a wish.

It just struck me on several chords. First the story of the paper cranes. Second the unexpected gesture from Japan and the global community to OKC in a time of sadness. Third the origin of the story from the Hiroshima bombing. I can’t quite wrap my brain around it, but it definitely hit me in the gut.

The photo above is from the Hiroshima Peace Park in Japan. Thanks to Flickr userKamodo for the CC licensed photo.

Like many things I like, I need it broken down. Numbered lists and exactness of speech. So I figured I would like a book titled The Simple Truth! Specifically The Simple Truth from the book  on page 25 states:

“The Simple Truth answers the three most important questions in your quest for excellence and success:

1. What is the real product my customer is buying?
2. What special ingredient differentiates my product?
3. Why is my customer buying what I am selling?

So the “for examples” are:

1. Wal-Mart’s Simple Truth: “To lower the world’s cost of living.” – pg 27
2. Disney World is not in the theme-park business, or even the entertainment business; it is in show business. – pg 28

Brennan goes on to clarify

You cannot deliver the Simple Truth unless the employees understand the Simple Truth. The customer is numero uno, but until the employees’ needs are aligned with those of the customer, there is an inherent conflict.”

For Brennan the simple truth of his restaurant is:

Creating Great Customer Memories – pg 50

Which brings me to a challenge with our business. We used to say simply “we build web sites that help you sell”. Probably because our turn around was in the recession of 2001 and 2002. If you could help someone survive that was awesome stuff! It prevented CEOs from having to lay people off, and that is a BIG motivator.

To this day our primary headline is “Does your website increase your sales” and our tag line is “The Web Marketing Company“. Pretty clear stuff.

Yet our vision is:

To Connect and Organize the World’s People. Do Good.

So unlike Wal-Mart, our vision statement can not double as our simple truth. Having deep thoughts on that subject now…